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LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 



HERNANDO CORTES 



LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 
Translated from the German by 
GEORGE P. UPTON 

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ORTES AND MONTEZUMA 



Life Stories for Young People 



HERNANDO CORTES 

Translated from the German of 
Joachim Heinrich Campe 

BY 

GEORGE P. UPTON 

Translator of " Memories" " Immensee" etc. 
WITH SIX ILLUSTRATIONS 




CHICAGO 
A. C. McCLURG fef CO. 
1911 



Copyright 
A. C. McClurg & Co. 
1911 

Published September, 191 1 




THE • PLIMPTON • PRESS 

[W D-o] 
NORWOOD • MASS • U • S • A 



©CI.A295755 

H 



translator's preface 



THE story of the career of Hernando Cortes 
during his conquest of Mexico is a story 
of extraordinary courage, undaunted reso- 
lution, and hideous cruelty. It is a story of the 
subjection of a "little people," overcome and 
enslaved by a superior nation, which, in its lust 
for gold and territorial aggrandizement, left no 
methods of stratagem, cunning, military science, 
and barbarous cruelty untried to achieve its pur- 
pose. Granted that the early Emperors of Mexico 
were tyrannical in their treatment of the natives 
and that their religious rites were accompanied 
by human sacrifices and cannibalism, Mexican 
cruelty pales before the horrible scenes enacted by 
so-called civilized Spain in this dreadful Mexican 
drama.- The three principal figures are Hernando 
Cortes, Montezuma, and Guatemozin — Cortes, the 
conqueror; Montezuma, the weak-spirited Emperor, 
victim of his own people's fury; Guatemozin, the 
patriot. Cortes was a born adventurer, and in his 
youth possessed of skill in all military exercises. 
He was a man of consummate cunning and capti- 
vating address, of soaring ambition and marked 

[v] 



TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE 



ability as an administrator and general. Appar- 
ently he never knew what it was to fear, and conse- 
quently no danger was great enough to appall him. 
He was so skilled in stratagem that no situation was 
devious enough to prevent its solution. He had the 
same greed of gold as all Spaniards of his day had, 
and no means of obtaining it were considered dis- 
honorable as long as they were successful. But 
courageous, resolute, and ambitious as Cortes was, 
he will go down through the ages branded with 
infamy for , his treatment of Montezuma, for the 
frightful massacres at Cholula and Otumba, for his 
execution of Guatemozin, last of the Aztec Emper- 
ors, for the burning of caciques and chiefs which he 
ordered, and for the countless atrocities of his men 
which he permitted. In his old age, like Columbus, 
he suffered from the neglect of an ungrateful Court, 
but, while we can sympathize with Columbus in 
that situation, we can feel no sympathy for Cortes 
as we recall the black chapters of his career. 

G. P. U. 

Chicago, July, 191 1. 



[vi] 



Contents: 



Chapter Page 
I Velasquez in Cuba — Hernandez de Cordova Dis- 
covers Yucatan — The Natives on the Mainland 
are Hostile — Grijalva Advances from Yucatan 

FARTHER NORTHWARD He IS THE FlRST EUROPEAN 

to Step upon Mexican Soil n 

II The Youth of Cortes — His Voyage to San Domingo 
and Settlement There — Cortes under Velasquez 
in Cuba — He Fits Out a Fleet for the Conquest 
of Mexico 20 

III Cortes is Regarded as an Enemy by the Natives of 

Tabasco, and is Forced into a Battle with them 

— He is Victorious, and they Submit .... 30 

IV Cortes Reaches San Juan de Ulloa — His Negotia- 

tions for an Understanding with Montezuma, 
Emperor of Mexico — Disquiet in the Army . . 42 

V Founding of the City of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz 

— Disaffected Caciques Join Cortes — Destruc- 
tion of a Heathen Temple because of Human 
Sacrifices — Introduction of Christianity — Cor- 
tes Sinks his Fleet after Sending a Vessel to 
Spain 55 

VI Cortes' March to Tlaxcala — Battle and Defeat 

OF THE TLAXCALANS MoNTEZUMA's MESSENGERS . 71 

VII March to the Sacred City of Cholula — The Natives 
Plot the Destruction of the Spaniards — Cortes 
Discovers their Treachery and Slaughters Sev- 
eral Thousand Indians — March to Mexico — 
Montezuma Meets the Strangers and Escorts 
them to the Capital 85 



[vii] 



CONTENTS 



Chapter Page 
VIII Religious Rites of the Mexicans — Human Sacri- 
fices — The Natives Discover that the Spaniards 
are not Divine but Human 96 

IX Montezuma is made a Prisoner — Quauhpopoka and 
His Leaders Burned — The Mexicans Swear Alle- 
giance to the King of Spain 104 

X Division of the Spoils — Cortes Attempts to Intro- 
duce Christianity — Narvaez is Sent by Velas- 
quez to Depose Cortes — Cortes Advances against 
Him 112 

XI Cortes Defeats Narvaez — Meanwhile the Mexi- 
cans, Outraged by Alvarado, Rise in Revolt — 
Cortes Returns 119 

XII The Mexicans Rise against the Spaniards and Fight 
with Desperate Courage — Montezuma is Killed 

— Cortes Struggles Bravely and is in Danger of 

his Life 127 

XIII Cortes, about to Retreat, Finds the Causeways Cut 

— The Spaniards Escape with Heavy Loss — The 
Tlaxcalans Remain True — Guatemozin is Elected 
Emperor of Mexco 136 

XIV Cortes Builds Vessels for a Land and Water Attack 

— A Conspiracy against his Life is Discovered — 
The Capital is Attacked 144 

XV The Spaniards Lose Heavily in Battle — The Pris- 
oners are Sacrificed — Some of Cortes' Allies 
Desert but soon Return — The City of Mexico 
Captured — Guatemozin Attempts Flight but is 



153 



XVI Tapia, Commissioned to Depose Cortes, is Induced 
to Return to Cuba — Cortes is Confirmed as 
Governor of New Spain — He Goes to Spain and 
is Ennobled — A Second Visit to Spain Discloses 
the Fickleness of the Court — He Vainly Begs the 

Emperor's Favor — His Death 162 

Appendix 168 



[ viii 



SUugttattong 



Page 

Cortes and Montezuma . . . Frontispiece ^ 

The Engagement between the Spaniards and 

the People of Tabasco 32 k 

Mexican Caciques before Cortes .... 60 u 

Meeting of Cortes and Montezuma ... 94 ^ 

Montezuma the Captive of the Spaniards . 106 k 

The Entry of Cortes into Mexico City . . 158 '< ' 



[ix] 



^erttattijo Cortes; 



Chapter I 

Velasquez in Cuba — Hernandez de Cordova Discovers Yuca- 
tan — The Natives on the Mainland are Hostile — 
Grijalva Advances from Yucatan Farther Northward — 
He is the First European to Step upon Mexican Soil 



IN the year 1511 Diego, Columbus' son, finding 
that the gold mines of Hispaniola were nearly 
exhausted, decided to take possession of the 
neighboring island of Cuba, or Fernandina, as it 
was called, in honor of the King of Spain. The force 
which he sent for the capture of the island was 
placed under the command of Velasquez, 1 a man 
described by his contemporaries as possessing ex- 
traordinary experience as a soldier, having served 
seventeen years in European campaigns, also of a 
renowned family and name, eager for glory and yet 
ambitious for wealth. 

Velasquez speedily subjugated the whole island 
and at once actively busied himself with the adop- 
tion of measures for its welfare. He established 

1 Diego Velasquez was born at Cuellar, Segovia, in 1465 — some 
authorities say in 1458 — and died at Havana, Cuba, in 1522 or 1523. 
He accompanied Columbus to Hispaniola (Haiti) in 1493. 

["I 



HERNANDO CORTES 



many settlements, secured farmers by free grants of 
land and slaves, devoted special attention to the 
raising of sugar-cane, such a valuable article of com- 
merce in later times, and, above all, to the devel- 
opment of gold mines, which promised better returns 
than those of Hispaniola. But the subjugation of 
Cuba was too small a matter to satisfy his ambition, 
as he would remain subject to the higher authority 
of Diego Columbus, from which he wished to free 
himself. The best means for accomplishing this 
seemed to him the making of important discoveries 
which would secure him an independent sovereignty. 
With this end in view, he turned his attention to 
the westward, in which direction he had every 
reason to believe he should find a great mainland 
region which no European had ever reached. 

Chance favored his plans. Hernandez de Cor- 
dova, a Spaniard, 1 undertook an expedition from 
Cuba in 15 17, with three vessels, to a neighboring 
island for the capture of slaves. Storms drove him 
upon the coast. In reply to his question as to the 
name of the country the natives said, " Tekte- 
tan," meaning in their language, "I do not under- 
stand you." The Spaniards thought this was the 
name of the place and distorted it into "Yucatan." 
Thus the peninsula of the mainland, which lies 
opposite Cuba and divides the Caribbean Sea from 

1 Francisco Hernandez de Cordova was born about 1475 and died 
at Leon, Nicaragua, in 1526. He was beheaded for attempting to set 
up an independent government in Honduras. 

[12] 



VELASQUEZ IN CUBA 



the Gulf of Mexico, came by its present name. 
Cordova first landed at the northeastern end of the 
peninsula, at Cape Catoche, then sailed along the 
peninsula, stopping at various places, and at last 
came to the region of the Campeche of to-day, 
where the sea forms the Bay of Campeche. 

The daring Spaniards had many fierce encounters 
with the natives, whom they found far more civilized 
and at the same time more warlike than the other 
islanders. They were clad in garments of a woven 
woollen material. Their weapons were wooden 
swords, tipped with flint, spears, bows, arrows, and 
shields. Their faces were painted in different colors, 
and their heads adorned with tufts of feathers. They 
were the first Americans who constructed dwellings 
of stone and cement. 

In their various encounters with these people the 
Spaniards sometimes came off losers. In one of 
them two Indian boys having the Christian names 
of Julian and Melchior fell into their hands. They 
proved of great advantage, for they served the 
Spaniards as interpreters in subsequent communica- 
tions with the Mexicans. One day, when they had 
landed to fill their casks with fresh water, fifty 
Indians approached and inquired if they had come 
from the place where the sun rises. When the 
Spaniards answered in the affirmative, they were 
conducted to a temple, constructed of stone, in 
which they beheld various ugly images of deities 
sprinkled with fresh blood. Suddenly two men in 

[13] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



white mantles, with long, flowing, black hair, stepped 
forward, holding small earthen braziers, into which 
they threw a kind of resin. They directed the 
smoke toward the Spaniards and ordered them upon 
pain of death to leave the country. Finding it dan- 
gerous to remain there, they obeyed and returned 
to their vessels. At another spot, where they had 
landed, they were surrounded by so large a multi- 
tude -of hostile Indians that forty-seven were killed 
and many wounded in their efforts to get back to 
their vessels. Among the seventy wounded was 
Cordova himself. After this disaster they hurried 
back to Cuba as rapidly as they could, where their 
leader died after making a report to Velasquez of 
all that had happened. 

Velasquez was delighted at the discoveries made 
in his name, and decided to continue them. Four 
vessels were fitted out, and Grijalva, 1 a man of great 
ability and courage, upon whose uprightness and 
good judgment Velasquez believed he could depend, 
was given command of them. He was specially 
instructed to confine himself to making discoveries 
without establishing colonies in the new regions. 
Grijalva left Cuba May I, 1518, and directed his 
course toward Yucatan, but the ocean currents 
drove him southerly, so that he first made land at 
Cape Catoche. Subsequently he discovered the 

1 Juan de Grijalva was born in Cuellar in 1489 or 1490 and died 
in Nicaragua. He was a nephew of Velasquez and the discoverer 

of Mexico. 



[14] 



VELASQUEZ IN CUBA 



island of Cozumel, off the Yucatan coast. From 
there he sailed along the coast to Potonchan, where 
Hernandez had been so foully dealt with. The 
Spaniards were eager to land and avenge the dis- 
aster, and Grijalva consented. The Indians, full 
of pride and defiance, and delighted with this fresh 
opportunity, attacked the Spaniards courageously, 
but they were driven back. Two hundred paid the 
penalty with their lives for their rashness, and the 
rest fled panic-stricken all over the country. 

Grijalva resumed cruising along the coast. He 
was astonished everywhere at the sight of villages 
or towns with houses made of stone and cement, 
which in passing appeared to the Spaniards finer 
and better built then they really were. The resem- 
blance between this region and Spain seemed so 
close to them that they gave it the name of New 
Spain — a name which it retains to this day. Next 
they came to the mouth of a river, called by the 
natives Tabasco, but the Spaniards named it Gri- 
jalva, in honor of their leader. The whole region 
roundabout had such a flourishing appearance and 
seemed to be populated so densely that Grijalva 
could not resist the desire to obtain accurate infor- 
mation about it. So he went ashore with his entire 
armed force. There he encountered a multitude of 
armed Indians, who with terrible outcries sought to 
prevent their further advance. But he paid no 
attention to their menaces, marched up to a bow- 
shot's distance from them, then halted, drew his 

[is] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



men up in battle order, and sent the two Americans, 
Julian and Melchior, who had been taken by H 
nandez, to inform them that he had not come thei^ 
to injure them, but to do them good, and that he 
was anxious to make a peaceful agreement with 
them. 

The Indians, who had been gazing in astonish- 
ment at the closed ranks, the costumes, and weapons 
of the Europeans, were still more astonished at this 
declaration. Some of their leaders ventured to ad- 
vance. Grijalva cordially welcomed them and told 
them through the interpreters that he and his fol- 
lowers were subjects of a great King who was the 
absolute ruler of all the countries where the sun rises. 
This King had sent him to demand their submission 
to his authority, and he awaited their answer. There- 
upon a low murmuring ensued among the Indians, 
which was stilled by one of their leaders, who re- 
plied courageously in the name of his people that 
it seemed strange to them that the Spaniards should 
speak of peace and at the same time demand sub- 
mission. It seemed strange to them also that they 
should be offered a new ruler without ascertaining 
whether they were dissatisfied with their present 
one. As far as the question of war or peace was 
concerned he was not authorized to give a decisive 
answer. He must submit that question to his su- 
periors. With these words he retired, leaving the 
Spaniards not a little astonished at this sensible 
reply. After a short time he returned and told 

[16] 



VELASQUEZ IN CUBA 



jrijalva that his superiors did not fear war with the 
oiiniards, if it must be, for they had not forgotten 
vhat happened at Potonchan. But they considered 
>eace better than war, and, as a token of this, he 
lad brought many necessaries of life for gifts. 

Shortly after this, the cacique himself appeared, 
inarmed and with a small retinue. After friendly 
greetings on each side he took from a basket golden 
irticles of various kinds set with jewels, and fabrics 
lecorated with beautifully colored feathers, and 
aid to Grijalva that he loved peace and had brought 
;hese gifts in confirmation of his words, but, that 
:here might be no opportunity for misunderstanding, 
le begged him to leave the country as soon as pos- 
sible. The Spanish leader acknowledged the polite- 
less of the cacique by making gifts in return, and 
promised to conform to his wishes as soon as he 
:ould get under sail. 

After cruising some distance along the coast, they 
eached an island with many stone houses and a 
;emple. In the centre of this temple, which was 
>pen on all sides, they saw various hideous idols 
)laced about an altar, elevated a few steps. Near 
:o it were six corpses, which, according to the pre- 
vailing horrible custom, seemed to have been offered 
lp as sacrifices on the preceding night. On account 
)f this dreadful spectacle the Spaniards named the 
)lace Isla de los Sacrificios ("Island of Sacrifice"). 
Everywhere they found evidences that the inhuman 
)ractice of sacrificing men to their deities prevailed 

[17] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



among these people. Coming to anchor at another 
island, which was called Kulva by the natives, they 
saw many more corpses of freshly slaughtered men, 
which caused even the barbarous Spanish soldiers 
to shudder at such cruelty. Grijalva gave his sur- 
name, Juan, to this island, from which eventually 
came the name, St. Juan de Ulloa, by which it is 
now known. 

Wherever they went gold was found in abun- 
dance. This and the sight of many fruitful spots 
which they passed aroused a general desire among 
the men to effect a settlement, but Grijalva per- 
sisted in carrying out the orders of Velasquez, and 
everywhere that he landed, took possession of the 
country in the name of the King. He continued 
sailing along the coast until he reached Panuco. At 
the mouth of a river there he was so furiously 
assailed by a swarm of Indians that a dreadful 
massacre became necessary before they could be 
driven back. After this, while attempting to sail 
still farther along the coast, adverse currents forced 
him to return to Cuba. Upon his arrival he met 
with bitter reproaches from the unreasonable gov- 
ernor, Velasquez, because he had not availed him- 
self of the excellent opportunity to establish a 
colony in that rich region, although he had been 
expressly forbidden to do so when he sailed. 

Grijalva had sent back one of his principal officers, 
Pedro de Alvarado, with a rich collection of jewels, 
and golden vessels and ornaments, secured from 

[18] 



VELASQUEZ IN CUBA 



the natives by exchanging European knick-knacks 
for them, and he had told much about the rich 
country. When Grijalva returned, after an absence 
of six months, he met with censure because he had 
carried out the instructions of the governor! The 
modest, unassuming man bore the undeserved 
reproaches calmly. To him belongs the honor of 
being the first European navigator to set foot on 
Mexican soil and open up intercourse with the 
Aztecs. 



[19] 



Chapter II 



The Youth of Cortes — His Voyage to San Domingo and 
Settlement there — Cortes under Velasquez in Cuba — 
He Fits Out a Fleet for the Conquest of Mexico 



ELASQUEZ, an ambitious but at the same 



time distrustful and fickle man, decided to 



continue the great discoveries made in his 
name, and to secure the rich profits which they 
promised. With this object in view he fitted out a 
strong fleet with the utmost expedition. The ques- 
tion then arose, Who should take command of it? 
Not having the courage to participate personally in 
an undertaking exposed to so many dangers and 
hardships, he was forced to look for another leader. 
The choice was a difficult one, for one man seemed 
to him too cowardly, another too courageous, this 
one too dull, another too crafty. He was anxious 
to find a man who would combine with the neces- 
sary judgment and courage absolute devotion to him 
and slavish obedience to his orders, and who would 
not only accomplish great deeds but at the same 
time give him all the advantage of them. For- 
tunately he found such a man, one admirably fitted 
for such an undertaking, but he did not understand 
how to make use of him. That man was Cortes. 




[20] 



THE YOUTH OF CORTES 



Hernando Cortes, of noble family, was born in 
1485 at Medellin, a small town in the Spanish prov- 
ince of Estremadura. From his earliest youth he 
had unusual courage, unwearied patience in over- 
coming difficulties, a restless, active spirit, and a 
burning desire to distinguish himself by great deeds. 
In his childhood he was weakly. In his fourteenth 
year he was sent to the University of Salamanca, 
his father, who built great hopes upon his brilliant 
talents, having destined him for the law. He chose 
a calling for him which opened up better prospects 
for an industrious young man than any other, but 
the son had no sympathy with his father's purpose. 
He showed little fondness for books and after his 
second year of study returned home, to the great 
disappointment of his parents, and spent his time 
without following any special avocation. He showed 
an inclination for a military life, particularly a life 
full of adventure. 

All eyes at that time were directed to the West 
Indies, and his own eyes were turned to the same 
region. He decided to enroll himself among those 
bold spirits who defied all hardships and dangers 
if only they might enrich their fatherland with new 
possessions and gain for themselves a glorious name. 
He was in his twentieth year (1504) when he sailed 
from Spain and betook himself to San Domingo. 
On his very first voyage his courage and steadfast- 
ness were put to a severe test. He encountered 
innumerable dangers and trials, but the bold, strong 

[21] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



youth, whose physical and mental strength had not 
been weakened by indolence, effeminacy, and shame- 
less debaucheries, laughed at them. To work was 
a pleasure to him, to hunger and thirst a trifle, to 
die, if necessary, an indifferent matter. 

The vessel which carried Cortes was one of a 
large number lying at the Canary Islands, taking 
on stores for their voyages, as was the practice of 
all vessels at that time when making the passage to 
the New World. Its commander was a greedy 
fellow who was anxious to reach the New World 
market before the rest so as to get a high price for 
his goods. He sailed away secretly by night, but 
a furious storm overtook him, dismasted his vessel, 
and forced him to go back to the Canary Islands. 
The other captains generously waited for their 
faithless companion, but he managed to slip away 
again by night. He lost his course, however, was 
exposed to hard storms and adverse winds, and his 
vessel was so violently tossed about that all on 
board feared for their lives and were not a little 
enraged at the author of their troubles. The young 
Cortes, however, was not disturbed by the danger, 
and contemplated the future joyfully. At last, 
after long wandering about, the vessel arrived at 
its destination. A dove which had gone astray lit 
upon the mast. As it flew off they followed the 
direction of its flight and reached Hispaniola, where 
the other vessels had arrived a long time before and 
the ship-masters had sold their goods. 

[22] 



THE YOUTH OF CORTES 



Cortes reached San Domingo at a time when 
Oyando was still governor. His very appearance 
secured for him a favorable reception. He was 
prepossessing, pleasing of countenance, and unaf- 
fectedly friendly in his contact with every one, 
but his peculiar qualities of disposition made him 
still more the favorite. He was open-hearted, 
indulgent, and magnanimous, but he was also 
shrewd, far-sighted, and reserved. He spoke mali- 
ciously of no one and was good-humored in con- 
versation. He was always ready to confer favors 
but he could not bear to have them mentioned. 
These meritorious qualities soon made him a favorite 
with every one. Immediately upon arrival he went 
to pay his respects to the governor, but Ovando was 
absent, attending to affairs in the interior. His 
secretary, however, received him cordially, and 
assured him it would not be difficult for him to 
obtain an abundance of land from Ovando upon 
which he could settle. Cortes answered: "I have 
come here to provide myself with gold, not to 
plough like a field laborer." 

Upon his return Ovando induced the young man 
to give up his ambitious designs, for a short time at 
least, and convinced him that he would certainly 
become richer if he settled down as a planter than 
if he trusted himself to chance. Cortes therefore 
secured land and an allotment of Indians in the 
settlement of Azua. The monotony of his life was 
often relieved by the part he took as an adventurer 

[23] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



in warlike expeditions, especially in the company of 
Velasquez, when the latter as Ovando's representa- 
tive was forced to suppress uprisings of the natives. 
In this way he became better known to Ovando, 
who was exceedingly anxious to retain his services. 
But as his young, courageous spirit was eager for 
more important undertakings, he applied for and 
received permission to accompany Velasquez on his 
expedition to Cuba in 151 1. At last he had an 
opportunity to display his courage and activity. 
He quickly rose. In a short time the important 
position of Alcalde of St. Iago was assigned to him. 
A quarrel with Velasquez soon after occurred, which 
might easily have been fatal to the incautious 
Cortes, had not the friendship of the two been 
so strong. Cortes, who was not a hero of virtue, 
fell in love with a young lady of high rank, named 
Catalina Xuarez, and had promised to marry her, 
but put off the fulfilment of his promise so long 
that he incurred the angry reproaches of the gover- 
nor. These reproaches naturally led to a coolness 
between Cortes and his patron, and Cortes decided 
that he would lay his grievances before Velasquez' 
superior in Hispaniola. Other dissatisfied ones 
joined him and they planned to send a messenger. 
Cortes was selected, for no other would have ven- 
tured to cross secretly in an open boat the distance 
of eighteen miles to the neighboring island. But 
the conspiracy was discovered, Cortes was arrested, 
chained, and placed in close confinement. It is 

[24] 



THE YOUTH OF CORTES 



said that Velasquez would have hanged him but 
for the intercession of friends. Meantime the bold 
Cortes did not long remain in prison. He shoved 
back one of the fastenings of his chains, freed his 
limbs, broke the window, and escaped to a church 
near by. According to the customs of the time a 
fugitive could not be seized in a sacred place. Velas- 
quez kept guards upon the lookout, and once, when 
Cortes incautiously ventured out just a little too 
far, he was caught, and bound, and conveyed to a 
vessel which was to sail to Hispaniola the next 
morning. But fortune favored him. He released 
himself in the night, jumped from the vessel's side 
into a boat, thence into the sea, and swam ashore. 
Exhausted, he sought the same asylum again and 
declared he would marry Catalina Xuarez, if the 
governor would pardon him. Velasquez assented, 
Cortes married Catalina, a reconciliation between 
himself and Velasquez was effected, and a closer 
friendship than ever was the result. 

When Alvarado returned with glowing accounts 
of the new discoveries on the mainland, and Gri- 
jalva also extolled the great rich western empire, 
Cortes was the one chosen as the commander of the 
fleet. The position was accepted by him, and all who 
were to take part in the expedition were delighted 
that such an able, courageous, and highly qualified 
man was to be their leader. Cortes was also de- 
lighted at the opportunity of displaying his ability, 
contributed all that he had in providing an ample 

[2Sl 



HERNANDO CORTES 



store of campaign necessaries, and aided those of 
his companions who were too poor to obtain what 
they needed. 

Before the equipment in the harbor of St. Iago 
was completed Cortes stole away, for he had heard 
that Velasquez designed to take the supreme com- 
mand from him, fearing that he might carry off all 
the glory as well as the profits of the enterprise. 
His entire force numbered three hundred men, and 
a hundred more joined him from another part of 
Cuba, members of distinguished families, eager for 
the glory and boundless treasures which the expe- 
dition promised. The_jday~ --on—which- Qir-tes— sailed 
was the eighteenth of November, 1 5 18. The first 
destination of the fleet was Trinidad, and the next 
Havana, where several persons and further stocks 
of supplies were to be taken aboard. 

Velasquez for a long time seemed to be satisfied 
with the choice of Cortes as leader of the expedition, 
though many a jealous tale-bearer sought to preju- 
dice him against him. But hardly did he see Cortes 
sail away before he took a different view of the 
prospect. He thought to himself, What if he 
should abuse the authority entrusted to him, refuse 
to be obedient, and make himself absolute ruler in 
the country he was to conquer in Velasquez' name? 
The little clique of Cortes' enemies ever at his side 
observed what was troubling him and redoubled 
their efforts to kindle his jealousy into flame, and 
at last succeeded. A messenger was instantly sent 

[26] 



THE YOUTH OF CORTES 



to the Alcalde at Trinidad, ordering him to remove 
Cortes from his position as soon as he arrived there. 
The Alcalde was prepared to carry out his instruc- 
tions, but Cortes, who was not conscious of any 
offence, did not believe that he was bound to resign. 
He assured the Alcalde that Velasquez' change of 
mind was due to a misunderstanding and requested 
him to delay, the execution of his instructions until 
he could send a letter to the governor and receive a 
reply. The Alcalde, who was not in a position to 
carry out his instructions by force, gave his consent. 
Cortes wrote the governor, weighed anchor at once, 
and sailed for Havana. At the latter place he had 
to wait some time, partly for his reinforcements 
and partly to secure one thing or another indis- 
pensable to such an important expedition. 

At last all was ready. The fleet numbered eleven 
vessels. The largest, of one hundred tons, not 
larger than one of our two-masted merchant vessels, 
was the Admiral's flag-ship. The three next largest 
were of seventy-eight tons' burthen, and the rest 
small open barges. Cortes' force had now been 
increased to six hundred and seventeen, of whom a 
hundred or so were sailors and artisans, the rest 
soldiers. Only thirteen of these were armed with 
muskets and thirty-two with cross-bows. The others 
carried swords and spears, for the use of fire-arms at 
that time was very limited. Sixteen horses, ten 
small cannon or field-pieces, and four falconets or 
culverins, which are a kind of long, slender can- 

[27] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



non, no longer in use, constituted the most impor- 
tant part of the outfit. With this comparatively 
weak equipment, Cortes sailed for an unknown 
country to make war against the powerful ruler 
of Mexico, whose prosperous empire, together with 
the neighboring provinces, was greater than all the 
countries over which the King of Spain ruled at 
that time. 

In the meantime Velasquez was furious at the 
news that Cortes, in spite of his prohibition, had 
sailed away. He charged his representatives whom 
he had sent to cancel the appointment with treach- 
ery. His rage knew no bounds, and he made vig- 
orous preparations to prevent Cortes from escaping 
a second time from Havana. He sent one of his 
most trusty subordinates with express instructions 
to seize Cortes and send him chained and stoutly 
guarded to St. Iago. 

Fortunately Cortes was informed of the danger 
impending over him in sufficient time to make him- 
self secure. He quickly summoned his force, of 
whose good-will he was convinced, explained the 
danger which threatened them, and asked for their 
opinion. They unanimously declared he should 
pay no attention to the fickle governor and that 
he should not surrender his legal rights nor deliver 
himself into the power of such an unjust and sus- 
picious judge. They implored him, in view of the 
importance of the expedition, not to give up his 
leadership, assured him of their perfect confidence 

[28] 



THE YOUTH OF CORTES 



in him, and expressed themselves ready, in the face 
of all obstacles and dangers, to follow him even to 
death. Cortes was easily affected and ready to 
agree to anything which would aid him in carrying 
out his purpose. After thanking the soldiers for 
their consent he at once ordered anchors weighed, 
and sailed from Havana, February 10, 15 19. 



[29] 



Chapter III 



Cortes is Regarded as an Enemy by the Natives of Tabasco, 
and is Forced into a Battle with them — He is Victo- 
rious and they Submit 



ORTES decided to take the same course which 



Grijalva had followed before him, and so 



made the island of Cozumel his next des- 
tination. There he had an opportunity to rescue a 
Spaniard who had been left upon the coast by a 
shipwreck, and since that time had been a servant 
among the Indians. This poor fellow, named 
Aguilar, during the eight years of his abode there, 
had lost every European vestige and taken on the 
appearance, color, speech, and habits of the natives 
so completely that it was difficult to recognize he 
had ever been a Spaniard. Like the natives, he 
went naked, the color of his skin was dark brown, 
and his hair, after the custom of the country, was 
wound about his head in coils. He carried an oar 
on his shoulder, a bow in his hand, and a quiver 
on his back. His entire possessions were contained 
in a knit bag and consisted of his provisions and 
an old prayer-book in which he read industriously. 
He had so far forgotten his mother-tongue that it 
was difficult to understand him. 





CORTES AS AN ENEMY 



According to his statement he was wrecked in 
the vicinity with nineteen others. Seven of his 
comrades were overcome by hunger and exhaustion. 
The rest fell into the hands of the cacique of that 
country, a monster who sacrificed five of them to 
his deities and placed the others in a kind of cage, 
intending to fatten and then eat them. They had 
the good fortune, however, to escape. Helpless and 
despairing, they wandered about the forests, sub- 
sisting upon roots and herbs, until at last they met 
some Indians who took them to a kindly cacique, 
an enemy of the other. He received them humanely 
but each day imposed hard tasks upon them. The 
most of them died in a short time, only two of them, 
Aguilar and Guerro, surviving. They soon had an 
opportunity to render the cacique important service 
in his wars, for which he was very grateful. Guerro 
married an Indian woman of distinction, was made 
commander, and gradually became so Americanized 
that when the Spaniards arrived he did not care 
to change his conditions. He would not see them, 
perhaps for shame, for Aguilar said he had pierced 
his nose and painted various parts of his body as 
the natives did. 

Cortes embraced the poor Aguilar and covered 
his nakedness with his own cloak. As Aguilar had 
learned the language of the country during his long 
stay there, Cortes was rejoiced at his discovery, 
for he naturally hoped he would be of great service 
to him in future communications with the Indians. 

hi] 



HERNANDO CORTES 

From Cozumel he directed his course to Tabasco, 
and to that part of it where the river Grijalva 
empties into the sea. He expected to meet a 
friendly reception, as Grijalva had, but he was dis- 
appointed. At sight of his vessels the natives 
assumed a hostile aspect and seemed determined 
to prevent him from landing. He sent Aguilar to 
them to make an agreement, but it was useless. 
They would not listen to him, and he had to return 
without accomplishing his object. The event was 
as unpleasant to Cortes as it was unexpected. He 
had not planned to begin his conquest in that place. 
His object was to reach, as soon as possible the 
region nearest the country of the great Mexican 
Empire, and begin his operations there. Now he 
found himself in the unpleasant situation of being 
forced either to submit to the threats of the natives 
or to inaugurate hostilities in an outlying province, 
which, even if they ended successfully, must cost 
at least time, and lives, of which he had few to spare. 
If he turned back, the Indians would certainly take 
it as a mark of cowardice and become more trouble- 
some than ever. After considering this view of 
the situation, it seemed to him a conclusive reason 
for attacking them. As the approach of night pre- 
vented him from doing so at once, the assault was 
deferred until the next day, and the intervening 
night was devoted to the necessary preparations. 

At daybreak all were summoned for action. 
Cortes arranged his fleet in a half circle and in 

[32] 



i 



CORTES AS AN ENEMY 



this order, which was necessary on account of the 
shores, he began sailing up the stream. But before 
opening the attack, he sent Aguilar to inform the 
natives that it rested with them to say whether he 
should come as an enemy or a friend. Aguilar per- 
formed his duty, but instead of listening quietly to 
him the Indians gave the signal for attack and 
rowed out in their canoes to meet the fleet. They 
came together and the Indians began the assault 
with a dreadful storm of arrows and stones which 
caused great discomfort to the Spaniards, who were 
still remaining passive. At this Cortes gave the 
signal for defence. A single shot from the great 
cannon was decisive. The Indians, astonished at 
the unexpected thunder which roared about them, 
and terrified at the sight of its destructive conse- 
quences, jumped from their canoes into the water 
and endeavored with all their might to escape by 
swimming. The Spanish vessels drew up to the 
banks, and Cortes landed with his whole force undis- 
turbed. The battle, however, was far from being 
ended. The Indians, who had left their canoes, 
fled into the brush, where a still greater number 
of their warriors were collected. They rushed for- 
ward while Cortes was engaged in placing his men 
in battle order, and attacked him with arrows, 
spears, and stones, uttering appalling battle cries. 
Cortes, however, was not disturbed but continued 
the arrangement of his ranks until the whole corps 
was in close battle order. Then they charged 

[33] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



furiously against the Indians, advanced with won- 
derful coolness through deep morasses and dense 
thickets upon the countless swarms of the enemy, 
and death and terror beat a way for them. The 
sight of an army with European weapons was as new 
as it was fearful to the Indians. They could not 
face it and incontinently took to flight. 

The enemy fled to their fortified city of Tabasco. 
The fortifications consisted only of a row of stakes 
driven into the ground, after the style of our pali- 
sades, and surrounding the city in circular form. 
Both ends overlapped, and between them a single 
narrow road led into the city with many windings. 
Great as the peril seemed to be, Cortes unhesitat- 
ingly advanced along this narrow passage, but upon 
entering the city found the streets blocked up with 
stakes and the people ready to oppose him. The 
Indians were forced back again and yet the battle 
was not ended. They gathered anew in the mar- 
ket place of the city, again offered stubborn resist- 
ance, and again were overcome. Thereupon they 
fled to the woods. Tabasco was captured, and the 
battle was over. Cortes did not pursue the Indians 
but took possession of the city for the Spanish 
crown. He made three incisions with his sword 
in a large tree and announced that he occupied 
the city in the name and in favor of the Catholic 
sovereign, and that he would maintain and defend 
it with sword and shield against all who should 
gainsay it. The same declaration was made by his 

[34] 



CORTES AS AN ENEMY 



soldiers, and the proceedings were written down 
and formally attested. The plunder taken by the 
Spaniards did not come up to their expectations, 
for the Indians carried off the greater part of articles 
of value, leaving only some provisions which came 
in good stead for the tired and hungry Spaniards.. 

At night Cortes quartered his force — in three divi- 
sions — in temples at different places and stationed 
watchmen to guard against a night attack. He 
made the rounds at different times to see that they 
were performing their duty. At daybreak he 
searched the woods near by, but not an Indian was 
to be seen or heard, which made him a little sus- 
picious. He sent spies to the adjacent region, who 
brought him the disquieting news that a multitude 
of Indians, forty thousand at least, were collected, 
whom they had watched at some distance, while 
they were getting ready for an attack. Such news 
as that might well alarm one in Cortes' situation! 
He was confronted with a force a hundred times as 
large as his own, compelled to fight for their father- 
land, their temples, and their lives. He realized 
the danger, but, master of himself and his emotions, 
he maintained as calm and composed a mien as if 
the report were a mere joke. His example inspired 
his men with like fearlessness, and they stood ready 
to follow him wherever he should lead. 

Cortes drew up his little army in battle array at 
the foot of a hill. It protected his men in the rear, 
and at the same time he could use his cannon in the 

[3Sl 



HERNANDO CORTES 



freest and most effective manner. He posted him- 
self with his cavalry in an adjoining thicket, whence 
at the right time he could charge the enemy unex- 
pectedly. In this order they quietly awaited the 
onset of the Indians. The ever memorable day 
upon which the battle was fought was the twenty- 
fifth of March, 15 19, Annunciation Day. 

The Indians appeared, most of them armed with 
bows and arrows. The bowstrings were made of 
the sinews of some animal or stag's hair, and the 
arrows were tipped with sharp bones. In addition 
to these they carried spears which could be thrown 
from a distance or used as a hand-weapon. One of 
their most terrible weapons was a great battle 
sword, made of very hard wood, the edge of which 
was formed of exceedingly sharp stones, joined to- 
gether, and which was so heavy that it had to be 
wielded with both hands, like an axe. Some of 
them had clubs, others slings with which they could 
hurl stones of great size with unusual force and 
accuracy. The leaders alone protected themselves 
with quilted woollen coverings, and wooden or tor- 
toise shell shields. The rest went naked, but to 
give them a frightful appearance they painted their 
faces and bodies in different colors, and to increase 
their stature they wore headdresses of tall feathers. 
Their battle music was in keeping with their looks. 
They used reed pipes and large sea-shells as wind 
instruments, and drums made of hollowed tree 
trunks. The art of fighting in close ranks was 

[36] 



CORTES AS AN ENEMY 



entirely unknown to them. They observed a cer- 
tain order, however, by dividing the whole force into 
little squads, each with its own leader. They had 
this in common with the European plan of battle, 
that they did not engage all their warriors at the 
same time in a fight, but kept a part in reserve to 
come to the help of those in front when it should be 
necessary. Their opening assault was always made 
with frightful outcries and with great vigor, but 
if the enemy withstood the first attack and suc- 
ceeded in throwing the advance into disorder, a panic 
would strike them and a general retreat ensue. 

Such was the enemy the little army of Spaniards 
now saw advancing upon them in countless num- 
bers. Silent and solid as a wall they awaited the 
attack. When they had come within bowshot, the 
battle opened with terrible yells and a shower of 
arrows which darkened the air. The Spaniards 
replied with a cannon and musketry fire, which 
covered the ground with heaps of the closely crowded 
enemy. The Indians, however, were undaunted. 
They filled up the void, threw sand in the air to 
conceal their losses in a cloud of dust, and after 
another flight of arrows came to a hand to hand 
struggle. The Spaniards did their best to overcome 
superiority of numbers, but the impetuosity and the 
multitude of the enemy were so great that they 
could not long withstand them. Their ranks were 
already broken through in several places, and a 
general massacre seemed imminent when suddenly 

[37] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



Cortes appeared with his cavalry and charged into 
the midst of the enemy. It was a new and dreadful 
sight to the poor Indians, who had never before 
beheld horsemen. They thought they were huge 
monsters, half man and half beast, and were so 
overcome with fear that their weapons dropped from 
their hands. The Spaniards improved the oppor- 
tunity to get into order again, the cannon fire was 
renewed, and, attacked upon every side, the panic- 
stricken Indians incontinently fled. 

Satisfied with this display of his superior power, 
Cortes at once ordered that the fugitives should be 
spared and only a few of them captured in order to 
make a peaceful arrangement with the whole nation. 
Eight hundred Indians lay dead upon the field, and 
only two Spaniards, but seventy of the latter were 
wounded. All the Indians who were not too severely 
wounded had fled. The field was made the site of 
a city, which, in honor of the day and the event, 
was called Santa Maria de la Vittoria, and after- 
ward became the capital of the country. 

On the following day some of the captives were 
brought before Cortes. Their faces wore an expres- 
sion of anxiety and fear for they had no doubt that 
they would be sentenced to death, but how great was 
their joy and astonishment when he received them 
with the greatest kindness, and Aguilar, the inter- 
preter, announced their freedom. Their delight was 
still further enhanced when Cortes displayed his 
generosity by making them gifts of trifles, which he 

[38] 



CORTES AS AN ENEMY 



knew would secure their good-will. Overcome with 
joy, they hastened to tell their people how hand- 
somely they had been treated. The result was that 
the Spaniards won over all those hearts which 
had been filled with rage and vengeance. To 
manifest their confidence and good intentions, 
various Indians shortly came, bringing all kinds of 
subsistence for which they were generously recom- 
pensed. The cacique himself sent messengers with 
gifts and begged for peace. It was granted, and 
when, soon afterward, he came in person, assurances 
of peace on each side were confirmed by pres- 
ents. Among other expressions of good-will the 
cacique brought twenty young women who knew 
how to bake Indian corn bread, and made a pres- 
ent of them to Cortes. One of them, who had been 
christened Marina, was the daughter of a cacique 
and had been kidnapped when a child and sold to 
the cacique of Tabasco. She was not only unusu- 
ally beautiful but intelligent, and in a short time 
learned the Spanish language and was of great 
service to Cortes afterward in his dealings with the 
Mexicans. 

While the cacique and his leaders were with 
Cortes they chanced to hear the Spanish horses 
neigh. Thereupon the terrified Indians anxiously 
inquired what was the matter with these frightful 
beings, meaning the horses. They were told that 
they were angry because the cacique and his people 
had not been punished more severely for their 

[39] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



audacity in attacking the Christians. The instant 
they heard this they hurried off and brought various 
kinds of game to appease them. They meekly 
implored forgiveness and promised they would 
faithfully submit to the Christians in the future. 

Their confidence was soon displayed. Spanish 
knick-knacks were exchanged for the raw products 
of the country, such as food of all kinds, woollen 
goods, and golden ornaments. When the natives 
were asked where the precious metal came from, 
they pointed westward and replied, "Kulhua," 
"Mexico." It was at once decided to leave the 
country and proceed to the land of gold. Before 
they left, Cortes displayed his solicitude for their 
conversion. He called their attention to the great 
doctrines of Christianity, and sought to persuade 
them to abandon heathenish practices. As the 
Indians offered but little objection, the conversion 
ceremony began on Palm Sunday. The whole 
army, with a priest at its head, moved in solemn 
procession through the blooming fields, surrounded 
by thousands of Indians, to the principal temple, in 
which the image of the heathen divinity had been 
removed from the altar and displaced by the image 
of Christ. The priest conducted the mass, the sol- 
diers sang, the natives listened in deep silence and 
were moved to tears. Their hearts were filled with 
reverence for the divinity of those beings who 
seemed to control the thunder and lightning with 
their hands. 

[40] 



CORTES AS AN ENEMY 

After the ceremony was concluded the soldiers 
bade farewell to their Indian friends, and a few 
hours afterward the little fleet was on its way to 
the gold coast of Mexico. 



[41] 



Chapter IV 



Cortes Reaches San Juan de Ulloa — His Negotiations for 
an U nder standing with Montezuma, Emperor of Mexico 
— Disquiet in the Army 



CORTES, satisfied with the fortunate outcome 
of a struggle which might have had most 
disastrous consequences, and full of hope for 
similar good fortune in his future undertakings, left 
Tabasco. A favoring east wind filled the swelling 
sails, and the course was westward. On this voy- 
age Cortes visited all those places where Grijalva 
had been before him. At last he reached the island 
of San Juan de Ulloa, which Grijalva had visited, 
and came to anchor between the island and main- 
land. They had not been there long before they 
saw two large and long canoes approaching them 
from shore. The Indians in them seemed to be of 
some importance and were apparently apprehensive 
of danger, but Cortes received them on board in a 
friendly manner. They began to speak, and Cortes 
awaited an explanation of their visit, but they spoke 
a language which Aguilar, his interpreter, did not 
understand. They talked in Mexican, but he had 
learned only Yucatanish — an entirely different 
tongue. 

[42] 



CORTES REACHES SAN JUAN 



In the meantime Cortes to his great delight ob- 
served that the slave Marina of Tabasco was con- 
versing with some of the Indians and found that 
this person, who had been born in a Mexican prov- 
ince and been kidnapped, and taken to Yucatan, 
could speak the language of both countries with 
equal facility. Marina spoke with them in her 
own dialect, communicating what they said to 
Aguilar in Yucatanish, who in turn spoke to Cortes 
in Spanish. By this fortunate occurrence Cortes 
learned that Pilpatoe, the governor of that country, 
and Teutile, the great Emperor Montezuma's gen- 
eral, had sent these Indians to ascertain his object 
in coming and to offer him assistance in continuing 
his journey, should he need it. Their appearance 
showed them to be a very different people from 
those wild tribes of the West Indies before encoun- 
tered. Cortes recognized the difference immedi- 
ately and replied in a cordial way that he had 
come with the friendly purpose of bringing tidings 
to their ruler which would prove of great importance. 
He dismissed them with gifts and, without waiting 
for a reply, began sending his people, horses, can- 
non, and war material to land. The hospitable 
natives submitted, hastened to lend helping hands 
to their future oppressors, and set up straw huts 
for them. Unfortunates! If some friendly spirit 
could have revealed the future to them and shown 
them how dearly they would have to pay for this 
friendly service, how they would have recoiled from 

[43] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



these wolves in sheep's clothing! How they would 
have put forth all their strength and joyfully spent 
the last drop of blood to drive these dangerous 
strangers from their shores! 

On the following day Pilpatoe and Teutile ap- 
peared in person with a numerous retinue of armed 
Mexicans. Their appearance was imposing as be- 
fitted the majesty of their great sovereign. Cortes 
also displayed as much pomp as his circumstances 
permitted, to impress them with his own importance 
and that of the sovereign he represented. He 
ordered his troops to march at his side with mili- 
tary precision and in respectful silence, and received 
the Mexican officers with a display of dignity which 
deeply impressed them. Upon being asked who 
had commissioned him, he haughtily replied with 
intentional brevity that he came in the name of 
Charles of Austria, the great and powerful monarch 
of the East, who had entrusted him with a message 
to the Emperor Montezuma that could only be 
delivered in person. He desired therefore that he 
should be conducted to him. 

Ferdinand, the Catholic, who ruled over Spain in 
the time of Columbus, had no sons, but left a daugh- 
ter, named Joanna, who married Philip, an Austrian 
prince. A son was born to them, named Charles, 
and it is he who is mentioned above. When Fer- 
dinand died, Charles, whose father was no longer 
living, became heir to his crown. He was also sov- 
ereign of the Netherlands, which had come into his 

[44] 



CORTES REACHES SAN JUAN 



possession a year previously. Later he was chosen 
German Emperor and thus became one of the most 
powerful monarchs in Europe. As four princes by 
the name of Charles had occupied the throne before 
him, he was designated Charles the Fifth. 

The Mexicans were much embarrassed by the 
resolute declaration of Cortes. They knew that 
his determination to have a personal interview with 
their Emperor would be extremely disagreeable to 
the latter. Montezuma had been greatly disturbed 
at the first appearance of Europeans on the Mexican 
coast. There was an old saying in his country that 
a mighty people dwelt toward the east, who sooner 
or later would attack and overthrow the Mexican 
Empire. How this saying originated it is not easy 
to say, but it is certain that the superstitious Mexi- 
cans, and Montezuma himself, were terrified by the 
old prophecy as soon as the Europeans appeared. 
This was also the reason why Montezuma's ambas- 
sadors were so disturbed when Cortes demanded 
the interview. Meanwhile, before making a reply to 
his demand, they sought to win his favor with gifts, 
among them ten bales of fine woollens, exquisite 
feather cloaks, whose beautiful and delicate colors 
rivalled the finest paintings, and a willow basket 
filled with gold ornaments. Cortes expressed his 
gratitude for the gifts, which emboldened them to 
tell him such an interview would be impossible. 
To their intense astonishment Cortes, with a sin- 
ister and angry expression of face, interrupted them 

[45] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



by declaring that he could not return to the great 
monarch, whose representative he was, without car- 
rying out his object. That was more than they 
had expected and all they could do was to request 
Cortes to have patience until they could acquaint 
Montezuma with his purpose and receive his reply. 
Cortes assented to this and sent gifts to the Em- 
peror. These consisted of a richly carved and 
colored arm-chair, a head covering having a gold 
medallion with the image of St. George and the 
dragon on it, a quantity of necklaces and bracelets 
and ornaments of cut glass, which, in that country 
where they had no glass, was regarded by the Mexi- 
cans as a precious stone. 

Upon this occasion also several painters attached 
to the Mexican retinue made drawings upon white 
cotton of the most remarkable European objects they 
observed. Learning that these drawings were to be 
sent to the Emperor, Cortes decided to offer the art- 
ists still more interesting subjects that would be likely 
to make a deep impression upon Montezuma. He 
drew up his entire force in battle array and dis- 
played before the astonished Mexicans a realistic 
picture of a battle conducted in the European 
manner. The spectators were so overcome with 
astonishment and awe that some of them fled, others 
in a dazed condition threw themselves upon the 
earth, while the rest fancied that what they saw and 
heard was a game for their diversion. The artists 
now had an opportunity to use their pencils in 

[46] 



CORTES REACHES SAN JUAN 



depicting the fearful and destructive effect of Euro- 
pean warfare. They worked with trembling hands, 
and when their pictures were finished, they were 
sent with the other gifts by swift runners to the 
Emperor. In that country they had swift runners 
on all the principal roads leading from the most 
distant provinces to the capital, ready at any 
moment to convey intelligence of all that was tran- 
spiring at any place. 

In a few days the Emperor's reply was received. 
As was expected, the interview was declined, but 
to mitigate the disagreeableness of the refusal, Mon- 
tezuma accompanied it with gifts which were truly 
regal. Pilpatoe and Teutile had the unpleasant 
duty of presenting both. They wisely produced the 
gifts first, to prepare Cortes, if possible, for a favor- 
able reception of the reply. 

The gifts were brought in by a hundred Indians 
and spread out on mats at Cortes' feet. The Span- 
iards greedily gazed at these proofs of the richness 
of the empire. There were samples of cotton which 
resembled silk in its gloss and fineness, pictures of 
animals, trees, and other natural products skilfully 
wrought out in vari-colored feathers, and gorgeous 
necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other ornaments of 
gold. But as the sun eclipses all the other lumi- 
naries in the heavens, so were these objects eclipsed 
by two large circular disks, one of which was of 
solid gold, the other, of silver. The one repre- 
sented the sun, the other the moon. As if for the 

[47] 



HERNANDO CORTES 

purpose of still further exciting the cupidity of the 
Spaniards, several caskets filled with precious stones, 
pearls, and grains of gold from the streams and 
mines were presented. 

Cortes accepted these splendid gifts with expres- 
sions of the utmost respect for the giver, and there- 
upon the ambassadors proceeded to the disagreeable 
part of their commission. They declared on behalf 
of their sovereign that he could not permit foreign 
soldiers to approach the capital or remain longer 
within the limits of the Mexican Empire. They 
were requested to retire immediately. Fair and 
reasonable as the request was, Cortes assumed the 
mien of one who had been insulted, and asserted 
even more haughtily than before that he utterly re- 
fused to accept the reply, for his own honor and that 
of his sovereign would be offended should he return 
without having had the interview. The eyes of 
the Mexicans, who were accustomed to abject sub- 
mission to their ruler, were fixed in astonishment 
upon a man who dared to resist anything which 
their absolute lord had ordered. Such audacity 
was so terrible to them that it was some time 
before they could recover from the shock. At last 
they regained composure and begged of this bold 
European a second delay in order to report his 
unexpected persistency at the capital. Cortes again 
consented, but upon the condition that he should 
not have to wait too long for a reply. Firm and 
decided as he appeared to be in these negotiations, 

[48] 



CORTES REACHES SAN JUAN 



he was not altogether sure that he was on secure 
ground. Everything convinced him that he had to 
deal with a powerful and well managed government. 
It seemed the most hazardous thing in the world 
to oppose such a power with a handful of Spanish 
adventurers. 

Nevertheless he held to the bold purpose of 
venturing the undertaking, cost what it might. 
Two motives actuated him. Religious zeal was the 
first. He was convinced he would be doing Heaven 
a great service if he could convert these heathen to 
Christianity. The second was based on his own 
doubtful circumstances, for, after what had occurred 
between himself and Velasquez, the governor, upon 
leaving Cuba, he could not hope to escape unpun- 
ished when he returned. As his life was in danger 
in any event, he might better risk it in the accom- 
plishment of an unheard of adventure than expose 
himself to the danger of losing it at the hands of 
the hangman upon his return. Unfortunately there 
were several in his army who were growing very 
anxious, and these were men who were more closely 
attached to Velasquez than to him. They had used 
their utmost efforts to disaffect the others and to 
excite a general uprising so as to force their leader 
to return to Cuba. But the prospect of securing 
vast and exhaustless treasures was so strong that 
nothing else could make a deep impression upon 
them. Besides, they believed there was good reason 
now to expect a favorable answer from Mexico. 

[49] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



The reply came at last, but it was not what they 
had anticipated. Far from being alarmed by the 
stubbornness of the Spanish general, Montezuma 
had come to the manly conclusion to abide by his 
decision that the Europeans must retire. Teutile 
brought the disagreeable message, as well as more 
handsome gifts. Cortes thought best this time to 
assume a less insolent attitude and mildly replied 
that the Christians esteemed it their duty to instruct 
their ignorant neighbors in the doctrines of that 
religion which pointed all men to the only road to 
happiness! It was for this reason his greater mon- 
arch had sent him to show Montezuma and his 
subjects the error of their ways, which they could 
no longer look upon without pity. Therefore he 
could not leave without insisting that this interview 
should take place. Teutile had hardly the patience 
to wait for the close of Cortes' statement. He rose 
from his seat angrily at last and indignantly declared 
that as the Emperor's gracious offers were of no 
avail, the instructions of his master would be car- 
ried out in a more forcible manner. With these 
words he hastily rushed out, followed by his entire 
retinue and all the Mexicans who were in the vicin- 
ity. In a short time the whole region was aban- 
doned by the natives. 

This was more than Cortes had expected. He 
was surprised and his danger now was greatly 
increased. With great anxiety he contemplated the 
results which must follow from this occurrence. 

[So] 



CORTES REACHES SAN JUAN 



The most direful evil threatening them was the 
utter lack of subsistence, which the hospitable 
natives had so generously furnished them hitherto. 
The discontented ones in the army renewed their 
efforts to force Cortes to return to Cuba. They 
ventured now openly to inveigh against him, to 
accuse him of foolhardiness, and to urge their com- 
rades not to suffer him to lead them farther in the 
way to destruction. Cortes, who was as courageous 
as he was far-sighted, with the aid of his confidants 
secretly investigated the sentiments of his army, 
and when he was informed that the insurgents were 
not making any deep impression, he summoned the 
foremost of the instigators, among whom a certain 
Ordaz was conspicuous, met them in a friendly 
manner, and inquired the meaning of their conduct. 
They did not conceal their purpose, but urged even 
vehemently that they should embark and sail back 
to Cuba. 

Cortes quietly listened to them. Then he replied 
that so far as he was concerned, in view of the danger 
to which they were exposed, he did not see how, as 
their leader, he could oppose their wishes. Therefore 
he would give his consent. He thereupon caused it 
to be proclaimed through the camp that all must 
be ready to embark for the return voyage to Cuba. 
He clearly foresaw what an uproar this would cause 
and his anticipations were promptly realized. The 
Spaniards, who, since their landing, had dreamed of 
nothing but exhaustless treasures, stood as if thunder- 

[51] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



struck when they learned that they had based their 
assurance upon such slender hopes, and that, with- 
out having earned the slightest reward for their 
previous hardships, they were to return home poorer 
than when they started away. These reflections 
were intolerable, and an angry murmur of discontent 
at the fickleness of their leader spread through the 
camp. 

Cortes was rejoiced at this, for he clearly saw 
it would aid him in his plans. He contrived with 
the aid of his confidants to increase the indignation of 
the soldiers still more. They complained all the more 
loudly that absolute cowardice was keeping them 
from the road to glory and wealth. The result was 
increased excitement and a general demand that 
their leader should appear before them. That was 
just what Cortes desired. He came at once with a 
look of extreme surprise on his face. They unani- 
mously accused him of lack of courage in doubting 
the successful outcome of an undertaking for the 
spread of the true religion and for the great glory 
and advantage of the fatherland. They declared 
furthermore that for their part they were firmly 
determined to pursue the glorious course upon 
which they had entered, and to choose another 
leader if he faint-heartedly deserted them. Their 
defiant words were music to his ears, and it was 
some time before he recovered from his surprise. 
At last he began to express his astonishment at what 
he had heard. He assured them that he had never 

[52] 



CORTES REACHES SAN JUAN 



dreamed of giving up hopes which were as great as 
they were well founded. But, as it had been stated 
to him that his entire army had become discouraged 
and wished to go back, he had unwillingly decided 
to comply with its wishes. At this point his excited 
soldiers with united voices declared he had been 
deceived. A few cowards had charged the whole 
army with cowardice. They were ready to risk 
their blood and life to carry out his great purpose. 
He might lead them where he pleased. They were 
ready to follow him even to the death. 

All was as Cortes wished. With an expression of 
joy and satisfaction he extolled the glorious stead- 
fastness of his soldiers and promised to carry out 
the desires which they had so unanimously expressed. 
He would therefore, he added, end his stay in the 
region where they were and march into the heart 
of the country with the larger part of the army. A 
universal and enthusiastic cheer greeted his decision. 
Now came the last act of the comedy. He was 
and still remained their leader, but his entire au- 
thority depended solely upon their good-will. The 
absolute authority of the soldiers that had made 
him their commander, under changed circumstances 
could take the command away from him. He 
sought to remove this possibility in the following 
crafty way. He named a court of justice for the 
new colony whose membership he knew was favor- 
able to him. Hardly was this done, and hardly had 
the magistrates assembled, before Cortes appeared 

[53] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



in their midst, his staff of commander in hand. 
After permission had been granted he thus addressed 
them: 

" I regard you, gentlemen, from this time forward 
as the representatives of our great sovereign. Your 
decisions will always have the sanctity of law. 
You unquestionably recognize] the necessity that 
our army must have a leader whose authority 
does not depend upon the caprice of the soldiers. 
Now I find myself in this position. Since the 
governor has revoked my appointment, both my 
authority and my position, indeed, are doubtful. I 
consider myself bound, therefore, to resign my com- 
mand, which rests upon such a doubtful basis, into 
your hands and to request you, after due considera- 
tion, to designate some one in the name of the King 
who seems to you most worthy of being the com- 
mander. For my part, I am ready as a common 
soldier, pike in hand, to furnish an example to my 
comrades of obedience to the one selected as leader." 

With these words he kissed his staff of command, 
handed it reverently to the Chief Justice, placed 
his letter of resignation on the table, and left. The 
judges thereupon played out the farce. For appear- 
ances' sake they accepted the resignation, pretended 
the proper consideration, at last made a new choice, 
and Cortes was unanimously elected commander. 
Thereupon the army was summoned, and the choice 
was announced and enthusiastically welcomed. 



[54] 



Chapter V 



Founding of the City of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz — Dis- 
affected Caciques Join Cortes — Destruction of a Hea- 
then Temple because of Human Sacrifices — Introduc- 
tion of Christianity — Cortes Sinks his Fleet after 
Sending a Vessel to Spain 



ORTES was now the authorized commander 



at the head of six hundred greedy wolves, 



before whom the countless hordes of naked 
Mexicans were as so many defenceless sheep. The 
High Court appointed by Cortes gave to the settle- 
ment, which was established before his departure, the 
name of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, "the rich city of 
the true Cross." 1 The budding settlement was called 
"rich" because it was there they had a chance to 
judge of the wealth of the Mexican Empire by the 
gifts which had been sent, and because they expected 
that the treasures of that rich people, unfortunately 
for them, would soon be flowing in there. The 
addition, "true Cross," was made because they 

1 Villa Rica has been a movable municipality. It was nominally- 
founded on the present site of Vera Cruz and known as Villa Rica de 
la Vera Cruz. This was in 1519. Later, actual settlement was made 
farther north. In 1525 the site was changed to a place on the Rio 
de la Antigua. The final removal to the present site was made in 
1599, the city being known by its present name, Vera Cruz. 




[ssl 



HERNANDO CORTES 



landed there on the anniversary of the Crucifixion. 
This remarkable appellation of the first European 
colony in Mexico indicates the two leading passions 
which animated the Spanish adventurers, namely, 
avarice and religious enthusiasm. They were ani- 
mated alike by the longings to fill their purses with 
gold and Heaven with souls. It was a mixture of 
the earthly and heavenly, cruelty and apparent 
humanity, shameless cupidity and pretended piety. 

The discontented Velasquez faction in Cortes' 
camp soon discovered that they had been deceived 
and began to murmur afresh. Cortes at once seized 
those who were the most intemperate in speech 
and placed them on board the vessels in chains. 
Those who had been misled into sympathy with the 
mutineers were sent, under a reliable leader and in 
the company of several of the loyal ones, into the 
neighboring region to procure subsistence. After they 
had returned with abundant supplies, and hunger 
was appeased, a reconciliation was soon effected. 
Every one of them acknowledged his authority, 
and they soon became his most trusty and devoted 
followers. Their destiny and his were now joined, 
for they had mutually taken the decisive step and 
must follow him wherever he led. When peace was 
fully restored, the Spaniards made all their prepara- 
tions for departure, and a fortunate event cleared the 
way of all obstacles. They encountered five Indians, 
messengers from a cacique, whose possessions were 
not far distant, who asked to be conducted to the 

[56] 



CORTES SINKS HIS FLEET 



Spanish commander. Their request was granted, 
and Cortes, with the aid of his interpreter, learned 
the agreeable news that the cacique of Zempoala 
had heard of the great deeds accomplished by the 
Spaniards at Tabasco and was anxious to make 
a friendly treaty with them. After much question- 
ing Cortes discovered that Montezuma, of whom 
the cacique of Zempoala was a vassal, was a proud, 
overbearing, and cruel master, both hated and 
feared by all his subjects, who were only waiting for 
an opportunity to free themselves from his yoke. 

Cortes was careful to conceal his satisfaction 
over this intelligence. He knew how easy it is to 
overthrow the mightiest empire as soon as dis- 
satisfaction and misunderstandings arise between 
the ruler and his people, and he now had not the 
slightest doubt of the success of his undertaking, 
which but for this fortunate event might have proved 
foolhardy in the extreme. The Indians were dis- 
missed with friendly assurances for themselves and 
their master, and with the promise that Cortes 
would shortly pay them a visit. To fulfil his promise 
and at the same time to investigate a spot which 
they recommended as a convenient place for a 
colony, he departed with his whole army after giving 
orders to his fleet to coast along in that vicinity. 
At the close of the first day's march they reached 
an Indian village which was completely deserted. 
They found empty houses and temples with images 
of deities, remnants of human beings who had been 

[57] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



sacrificed, and some books, the first which had been 
discovered in America. They were made of parch- 
ment or hide which was smeared over with gum and 
arranged in leaves. In place of letters they con- 
tained pictures of all kinds and symbols connected 
with the abhorrent Mexican religion. 1 On the follow- 
ing day Cortes continued his march. They came 
to broad luxurious plains and wooded regions rich 
with the vegetation of the tropics. The branches 
of the stately trees were hung with dark red, grace- 
fully curving vines and other parasitic plants of 
brilliant color. The undergrowth of prickly aloes, 
interlaced with wild roses and honeysuckles, in 
several places made almost impenetrable thickets. 
In the midst of this profusion of fragrant blossoms, 
countless birds and swarms of butterflies fluttered 
about, while exquisite singing birds filled the air 
with their melody. Although the invaders were not 
very susceptible to the beauties of nature, they 
could not help expressions of delight, and, as they 
traversed this earthly paradise, it reminded them of 
the beautiful regions in their own fatherland. 

Cortes was greatly surprised to find the whole 
country deserted, although it was the territory 
of the cacique of Zempoala. It looked suspi- 
cious to him. But toward evening twelve Indians, 



1 Picture-writing at this time was the means employed by the Mexi- 
can priesthood for recording religious festivals and legends, for keeping 
calendars of years, and for recording historical events, much after the 
manner of the Egyptian hieroglyphs. 

[ 58 ] 



CORTES SINKS HIS FLEET 



carrying provisions, who had been sent by the 
cacique, met them. They besought the Spanish 
leader in the name of their master to go to his 
residence, which was only a sun's (one day) distance 
from there. He would find everything there that he 
and his men needed. Upon being asked why the 
cacique himself had not come to meet him in person, 
they replied that he was prevented by physical 
infirmity. Cortes sent six of the Indians back with 
thanks, retaining the rest to act as guides. On the 
following day the cacique's city came in sight, lying 
in a fruitful, smiling region, and very handsome in 
appearance. Some of the soldiers in the advance 
rushed back, excitedly shouting that the walls of 
the city were made of solid silver. To their great 
regret they found they were mistaken, for the walls 
were only covered with a cement so white and 
glistening in the sunshine that it easily deceived 
those who dreamed day and night of nothing but 
gold and silver. Upon entering the city they found 
all the streets and public squares filled with curious 
natives who were unarmed and conducted themselves 
more quietly than might have been expected of 
such a multitude of uncivilized beings. 

As they approached the house of the cacique, 
his Indian highness himself appeared. His figure 
revealed the nature of the infirmity which had 
prevented him from going out to meet his guests. 
He was so monstrously fat that he could scarcely 
walk, his servants having to support and move 

[59] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



him along. His shapeless bulk and clumsy manner 
were so ludicrous that Cortes had some difficulty 
in restraining his men from loud laughter and in 
preserving his own seriousness. The attire of the 
cacique was gorgeous. He was dressed in a cloak 
profusely set with precious stones, and his ears 
and lips were perforated and richly adorned. His 
address of welcome did not in the least correspond 
with his laughable appearance. It was very clever, 
and well put together, and closed with the request 
that Cortes would condescend to be his guest and 
abide with him, so that they might have an oppor- 
tunity to talk together at leisure. The rest of the 
day was spent in partaking of refreshment and 
enjoying the fruits which grew there in great pro- 
fusion. 

In his interview with the cacique Cortes de- 
signedly impressed him with the idea that he had 
been sent there by the great eastern monarch for 
the purpose of putting an end to tyranny in that 
part of the world. This encouraged the cacique 
to make bitter complaint of the haughtiness and 
injustice of Montezuma, whom he did not hesitate 
to characterize as a cruel tyrant, whose yoke was 
intolerable not only to himself but to others of 
his vassals. His indignation was so great, as he 
spoke of it, that tears sprang from his eyes. Cortes 
endeavored to quiet him and assured him of his 
protection. He also informed him that the power 
of the tyrant did not disturb him in the least, for 

[60] 



EXICAN CACIQUES BEFORE CORTES 



CORTES SINKS HIS FLEET 



he knew that his own power, which was supported 
by Heaven, was irresistible. After taking a cordial 
leave of the hospitable Indian, Cortes set out upon 
his march to Chiahuitzlan, the place selected for 
a settlement. Their way led over fruitful plains 
and through pleasant woodlands, and after a moder- 
ate day's journey they saw the city upon a rocky 
eminence. The people had fled. As they reached 
the market-place fifteen Indians emerged from a tem- 
ple, greeted the strangers, and assured them that their 
governor and all his people would come back with- 
out delay if their safety were guaranteed. Cortes 
solemnly assured them no one should be hurt and 
in a short time the cacique and his people over- 
came their fears and returned. Cortes was pleased 
to discover that the cacique of Zempoala was there 
also. Scarcely had the interview begun when bitter 
complaints were made of Montezuma's persecutions. 
Cortes, who heard these complaints now for the sec- 
ond time, consoled them and renewed his promises of 
protection. 

In the meantime some of the Indians approached 
the two caciques and whispered something in their 
ears which greatly astonished them. They sprang 
up affrighted, and left the spot trembling. Uncer- 
tain what might be the cause of their fear, they 
were followed, and the reason was soon discovered. 
Six splendidly clad representatives of Montezuma 
accompanied by a considerable number of slaves, 
holding feather umbrellas over their heads, passed 

[61] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



the Spanish quarters with glances of contempt at 
Cortes and his officers. Their haughtiness so enraged 
the soldiers that they were restrained with difficulty 
from violently assaulting the Mexicans. Marina, who 
had been sent to gather information, returned with 
the news that they had bitterly reproached the two 
caciques for their treachery in receiving strangers, 
who were the declared enemies of their sovereign. 
As a penalty for their disloyalty, besides the cus- 
tomary tribute, twenty Indians should be delivered 
over to them as a sacrifice to the offended deities. 
Cortes was enraged but wisely refrained from giving 
expression to his wrath. He assured the caciques 
they need have no fear of harm and instructed 
them to bring Montezuma's messengers before him 
in chains to give an account of themselves. The 
caciques, who had been used to absolute obedience 
to their master, hesitated, but Cortes, leaving them no 
time for reflection, repeated his orders so emphati- 
cally that they dared not offer objection. The 
messengers were arrested, the Spaniards, for appear- 
ances' sake, taking no part in it. Having gone 
thus far, the caciques would have gone still further 
and done to the fettered messengers what Monte- 
zuma proposed to do to the Indians, but Cortes 
objected to such inhumanity and ordered that the 
prisoners should be guarded by his own men. 

Cortes desired, if possible, to conceal the appear- 
ance of open hostility to the powerful Montezuma. 
He cunningly planned to put him under obliga- 

[62] 



CORTES SINKS HIS FLEET 



tions to himself by making him believe he had not 
the least connection with what had occurred. With 
this purpose in view he summoned two of the pris- 
oners at night, announced to them that they were 
free, and instructed them to inform their master 
that he would strive to secure the liberty of the 
others, and with this dimissed them. The Indians 
were told the next day that the prisoners had escaped. 
Shortly after this, the other prisoners were permitted 
to join their companions. This tricky dealing had 
the effect which Cortes expected. In the meantime 
other caciques were found in the neighboring moun- 
tainous region who shared the same hatred toward 
their Emperor and were equally desirous of escaping 
his tyrannical rule. All these heads of Indian tribes, 
bearing the general name of Totonacs, entered into 
agreements with Cortes, disavowed the authority of 
Montezuma, and declared themselves vassals of the 
King of Spain. 

Steps were now taken for the founding of a city 
at the new settlement. The name of Villa Rica de la 
Vera Cruz was retained for the city, but the name 
to-day has been abbreviated to Vera Cruz. Every 
one in the Spanish army assisted in laying the walls 
and constructing the buildings of the new city. No 
one refused, and Cortes set an example for all by 
assisting personally. The work went on with 
incredible swiftness and in a short time the enclosed 
place was sufficiently secure against Indian assaults. 
Meanwhile Montezuma's messengers had returned 

[63] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



and performed the favorable offices expected by 
Cortes. Their report considerably mitigated the 
anger of the monarch, who in his first heat of pas- 
sion had ordered the mustering of a mighty army to 
extirpate these strangers and their Indian auxiliaries 
by fire and sword. Now, however, he was greatly 
concerned and decided to employ kind measures 
to induce these dreaded strangers, if possible, to go 
away peacefully. To this end he sent messengers 
with gifts of great value, two young princes, relatives 
of the Emperor, being the bearers. They reached 
the Spanish camp just at the time of the completion 
of the fortifications. They discharged their duty, 
presented the costly gifts, thanked Cortes for the 
assistance he had rendered in releasing the prisoners, 
and concluded with the request that he would be 
pleased to leave the territory of their sovereign. 

Cortes showed them the greatest honor and made 
the following reply: He was sorry that the Emperor 
had been caused trouble by the imprisonment of 
his messengers, and yet it must be acknowledged 
that they had brought it upon themselves by an 
inhuman demand, which he hoped had been made 
without the Emperor's knowledge. In any event 
he must declare that the Christian religion did not 
recognize the cruel practice of human sacrifice and 
that he felt himself bound to prevent it wherever 
and however he could. As for the wrong which 
had been done the Emperor, that had been compen- 
sated for by the release of the prisoners, and, as he 

[6 4 ] 



CORTES SINKS HIS FLEET 



was under obligations to the allies he had accepted, 
he flattered himself that the Emperor would over- 
look the hasty act of the caciques of Zempoala 
and Chiahuitzlan, and pardon them. He was 
obliged to take these vassals of the Emperor under 
his protection for they had striven to make amends 
for Teutile's incivility by giving him a hospitable 
reception. As to his departure from the country, 
he had already had the honor to assure their master 
that a mission of the utmost consequence bound 
him not to return to his fatherland until he had 
had a personal interview. A European soldier never 
feared to perform any duty imposed upon him by 
his superiors. The messengers, amazed at the cool 
and stately manner in which Cortes delivered his 
reply, returned, rilled with admiration at his coura- 
geous firmness and with secret contempt for their 
own sovereign, to whom they reported all they had 
seen and heard. 

The new Spanish city was now in a satisfactory 
state of defence, and Cortes devoted himself in 
earnest to the completion of other necessary affairs. 
Fortune seemed decidedly in his favor, but his 
excessive religious zeal came near ruining every- 
thing. Word was brought to him that human 
sacrifices were to take place in one of the temples 
of his allies. Enraged at their cruel superstition 
and that such an enormity should be attempted 
under his very eyes, he rushed to the temple with 
some of his soldiers and threatened destruction by 

[65] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



fire and sword if they did not instantly release the 
intended victims. His zeal did not stop with this. 
He demanded that the priests should pull down 
their idols, and renounce their false religion forever, 
although they did not yet know of a better one. 
The priests prostrated themselves at his feet, moan- 
ing and lamenting, and the caciques present trembled. 
As they refused to pull down their idols, he ordered 
his soldiers to do it by force. The priests rushed 
to arms and in a few moments Cortes and his little 
band were surrounded by a crowd big enough to 
appall the heart of the stoutest. But Cortes re- 
mained unmoved and announced to the assembled 
multitude that the first arrow fired by them would 
cost them the lives of their caciques and the destruc- 
tion of them all. The soldiers advanced to carry 
out his orders. In an instant the idols were hurled 
down; the sacred vessels and the altar followed 
them. They were all destroyed, and the temple was 
cleaned. The human blood which adhered to the 
walls was washed off, and the image of the Virgin 
was set in the place of the idols. The astonished 
Indians expected that fire would descend from 
heaven any instant and revenge this indignity to 
their divinities. But not a spark was seen, and the 
temple-stormers continued their work audaciously 
and triumphantly before their very eyes. This 
weakened their faith and caused them to reflect, 
with the result that they gradually came to believe 
that the Spaniards were divinities themselves and 
[66] 



CORTES SINKS HIS FLEET 



mightier than their own gods. They did not long 
stop to consider, but, gathering up the remnants of 
their idols, contemptuously threw them into the fire. 
The temple was consecrated as a Christian church 
and upon the same day was dedicated with Roman 
Catholic ceremonies, which the Indians greatly 
wondered at though they did not understand them. 

Cortes had hardly escaped the danger to which 
his religious ardor exposed him before another and 
no less threatening one confronted him. Some of 
the soldiers and sailors, tired of wandering about 
and alarmed at the prospect of fresh dangers on 
the march to the capital, had entered into a plot 
against the commander and decided to seize a vessel, 
make their escape to Cuba, and notify the governor 
of what Cortes had been doing. Fortunately the 
plot was discovered before it was too late. Cortes 
arrested the leaders and imposed a fitting penalty 
for the offence. As he was convinced that the 
source of disaffection had not entirely disappeared 
in his little army, he gave the matter serious con- 
sideration and at last hit upon a definite but danger- 
ous plan of intimidating their small souls and causing 
them to recoil with terror from any thought of 
mutiny. He determined to remove the last hope 
of return and to leave them the alternative of an 
advance upon the Mexican capital or death, by 
destroying his fleet, thus convincing the faint- 
hearted ones in his army that there was no middle 
course and that they must either conquer or die. 

[67] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



Great as was the courage necessary to accomplish 
this, still greater was the task of making it accept- 
able to his army. Fortunately Cortes was as tact- 
ful as he was brave. He began by dismantling 
his vessels. He had the rigging removed and all 
the material on board as well as the cannon brought 
ashore. The ships' carpenters then examined the 
hulls of the vessels and reported that they were in 
such a wretched condition it would be impossible 
to repair them. Cortes now inspired his soldiers 
with such courage and zeal that they hastened of 
their own accord to destroy them — their last refuge 
should the expedition prove a failure — and to 
bring the boards and planks on shore. Only one 
of them was spared to carry out Cortes' purpose. 
He had been appointed leader by the tribunal 
which he himself had chosen, but in reality this was 
not any more authoritative than if he had appointed 
himself. He was anxious to place his rights upon 
a secure footing, and, with this end in view, he 
decided to send a vessel to Spain to obtain the sanc- 
tion of the Court for all his movements thus far, 
as well as relief from any further responsibility to 
Velasquez and his appointment as absolute governor 
of the empire to be conquered by him. 

He knew of but one sure way to accomplish his 
purpose, and that was to send the government actual 
proofs of the treasure he would secure for it. To 
make these convincing he determined to send all the 
gifts which had been received from Montezuma, 

[68] 



CORTES SINKS HIS FLEET 



and that all concerned, officers, soldiers, and sailors, 
should contribute their share. It was a hard de- 
mand, but Cortes ventured it and carried his point. 
With these gifts Cortes sent a letter to the Emperor 
in which he gave a detailed account of all that 
had occurred — his various discoveries, his battles 
and dealings with the natives, their conversion to 
Christianity, his own dangers and hardships, and 
much information about the countries he had 
visited. He described his difficulties with the 
governor of Cuba, what had been done with regard 
to settlements, and besought the Emperor to con- 
firm all that had been accomplished as well as his 
own authority. In the meantime he was thoroughly 
certain that with the help of his brave companions 
he could place the great Indian Empire in possession 
of the Castilian crown. 

The officials of Villa Rica also wrote a letter 
similar to that of Cortes, and closed it with an 
emphatic statement of the maladministration of 
Velasquez, his venality, extortions, schemings for 
his own profit, and disregard for the advantage 
of his sovereign. With these two letters a third 
was sent in the name of the citizen soldiery of Villa 
Rica, expressing their loyalty to their sovereign 
and praying him to confirm the appointment of 
Cortes as their leader. The richly laden vessel, 
in charge of noblemen upon whom Cortes could 
depend, left Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz July 26, 15 19, 
and, in pursuance of exact orders, anchored for a 

[69] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



short time on the north coast of Cuba, but fortunately 
escaped the pursuers sent out by Velasquez. 

Cortez now prepared to march. His army con- 
sisted of five hundred infantry, fifteen cavalrymen, 
and six field-pieces. The others, about fifty men, 
mostly invalids, besides two horses, remained as 
part of the garrison at Vera Cruz. Including his 
auxiliaries, Cortes had only thirteen hundred men 
and one thousand so-called tamanes, that is, porters, 
who had to carry the necessary baggage and sub- 
sistence. In that country, where there were no 
horses or pack animals of any kind, a class of men, 
named as above, carried things from one place to 
another. For the security of those he left behind 
Cortes took fifty of the leading Indians of the country 
with him, whom he kept as hostages, though they 
were not aware of it. 



[70] 



Chapter VI 



Cortes* March to Tlaxcala — Battle and Defeat of the Tlax- 
calans — Montezuma' s Messengers 



THE little army set out from Zempoala 
August 16, 1519. Nothing of consequence 
marked the first day's march. Their way 
led through the territory of their ally, the cacique. 
They met with a friendly reception and hospitable 
treatment. At last they came to the borders of the 
mountainous country of Tlaxcala. 1 The natives of 
this region surpassed all the other Americans in 
extraordinary courage and especially in their love 
of freedom. They had bravely thrown off the 
Mexican yoke and for a long time maintained a 
republic. The country sent its representatives to 
Tlaxcala, the capital, and these representatives, or 
chiefs, in assembly, constituted the tribal council 
and law-making power of the whole nation. Their 
form of government was also an aristocratic one. 
Pride and love of liberty, courage and a warlike 
disposition were the chief characteristics of this 

1 The Tlaxcalan Indians were less advanced in the arts than the 
Aztecs, but were very warlike and liberty-loving. Their principal 
pueblo was on the spot now occupied by the city of Tlaxcala. Some 
of their descendants still occupy that region. 

[71] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



small but formidable people. Montezuma had vainly 
tried to subdue them and to induce bold and imperi- 
ous spirits among them to usurp authority. They 
stoutly maintained liberty, that noblest blessing 
of humanity, against every assault, and remained 
invincible. Cortes would have rejoiced to secure 
such a people for his allies and decided therefore, as 
soon as he reached their borders, to send a friendly 
embassy, after the Indian manner, accompanied with 
all the customary ceremony. 

Four of the leading Zempoalans were selected 
for this duty, and Marina undertook to deliver a 
stately address to the Tlaxcalans, which she had to 
learn by heart. They were arrayed in the following 
manner: They put on long cloaks of a woollen 
material. Upon the left arm they carried a great 
shell in place of a shield, and in the right hand an 
arrow with white feathers, the tip of which was 
bent downward. This was a symbol of friendliness. 
An arrow with red feathers would have meant 
war. Thus equipped, they set out without fear, 
confident no harm would come to them, but at the 
same time taking the precaution not to leave the 
highroad, because there alone would their dress 
protect them. < 

As soon as the four messengers reached Tlaxcala 
they were conducted to a building specially fitted up 
with everything necessary for an audience. On the 
following day they were requested by the Council, 
which was in session, to deliver their message. The 

[72] 



BATTLE AND DEFEAT 



assembled members, on account of their age, sat 
upon low seats, made of some rare wood. With 
the utmost reverence, manifested by covering their 
heads with their cloaks, the messengers advanced, 
holding their arrows aloft, and the councillors rose 
slightly from their seats. They then bowed in their 
peculiar manner and with measured steps advanced 
to the centre of the apartment and sank upon their 
knees, and with downcast eyes awaited permission 
to speak. When this had been granted, they sat 
cross-legged and Marina began her address: 

"Noble republic! Brave and mighty people! 
Your friends and allies, the caciques of Zempoala 
and the mountains, send you greeting and wish for 
you rich harvests and the downfall of your enemies. 
Next they send you word that an extraordinary 
people have come to our country from the sunrise 
land. They seem more like £ods than men. They 
have come across the sea in great palaces and carry 
in their hands for weapons the thunder and lightning 
of heaven. According to their statements they are 
servants of a higher God than ours, who cannot 
endure tyranny or human sacrifice. Their leader 
is the messenger of a very mighty monarch, who is 
bound by the dictates of his religion to redress the 
grievances and persecutions we have suffered from 
Montezuma. This leader has freed us already. 
It is now necessary that he should make his way 
through your country to Mexico, and he wishes to 
know in what manner this tyrant has persecuted 

' [73] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



you so that he may defend your rights, as well as 
his own, and settle other matters connected with 
his journey. He comes also with friendly intentions 
and desires nothing more from you than a free 
passage through your country. You may be sure 
he seeks only your own advantage, that his weapons 
are the instruments of justice, and that those who 
bear them are by nature peace-loving and will 
never use their strength except against those who 
first offend or attack them." 

At the conclusion of the address the messengers 
rose to their knees, made a low bow in that posture, 
reseated themselves cross-legged, and awaited an 
answer. The councillors replied at first in an infor- 
mal way that they were grateful for the informa- 
tion brought to them. They would consider Cortes' 
request and give a definite answer later. Thereupon 
they dismissed the messengers and began the con- 
sideration. Opinions were divided. Some were 
for peace, others for war. The leader of the war 
party was Xikotenkatl, a young, bold, impetuous 
man, who was only too glad of an opportunity to 
draw his sword. His party was in the majority 
and it was decided that the messengers should be 
detained upon various pretences, while they were 
making the necessary war preparations. Eight 
days thus passed, and at last Cortes as well as his 
allies began to have misgivings as to the cause of 
the delay. It was finally decided to move forward 
and ascertain what had become of the messengers 

[74] 



BATTLE AND DEFEAT 



and their mission. The Spaniards had not gone 
far before they encountered a troop of armed natives 
who offered a stubborn resistance. A battle ensued 
which ended disastrously for the natives, while 
the Spaniards, protected by their armor, received 
only a few trifling wounds, though the enemy out- 
numbered them ten to one. 

After this first victory Cortes continued advancing 
inland, and on the following day had the satisfaction 
of seeing two of his messengers approaching in the 
company of some Tlaxcalans. The latter placed 
the responsibility for the attack of the day before 
upon their allies, the Otomis, who had begun hos- 
tilities upon their own account and had been 
punished by the loss of their bravest leader. After 
this brief apology they took themselves off without 
making any definite statement of their intentions. 
In the meantime their mysterious conduct was soon 
explained, for, on the next day, as the Spaniards 
advanced nearer Tlaxcala, the other two messen- 
gers met them in a mournful plight. They fell at 
Cortes' feet weeping, embraced his knees, and with 
piteous gestures affirmed that the treacherous Tlax- 
calans had violated the sacred right of nations and 
had bound them with chains to be sacrificed to their 
deities. In the meantime they had succeeded in 
freeing themselves m the night, but they were con- 
fident that the Tlaxcalans were planning to sacri- 
fice the entire Spanish army. Cortes now knew 
what to expect and resolved to face the danger, 

[75] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



however great it might be. He advanced at once 
and before long saw a countless multitude of armed 
Tlaxcalans and their auxiliaries with the fierce 
Xikotenkatl at their head. The battle which ensued 
was a savage one, and a slight disaster nearly in- 
volved the destruction of Cortes' whole force. A 
Spanish cavalryman dashed so far into the dense 
ranks of the enemy that he was surrounded on all 
sides. He received several wounds, and his horse was 
pierced so often that it fell dead. The Indians cut 
off the animal's head, stuck it upon a spear, and 
carried it about triumphantly so that all might see 
the monster was not invulnerable, as they had be- 
lieved, but was really dead. 

This event inspired the Indians with indescribable 
courage, and they now fought with a fury which 
the Spaniards could no longer withstand. At the 
instant when their utter destruction seemed inevi- 
table, to their great astonishment the fierce battle 
cries of the natives suddenly ceased, and hostilities 
came to an end. They heard the horns sounding for 
retreat and beheld the whole great army of the 
enemy quietly withdrawing for some mysterious 
reason. This was done, the prisoners afterward 
stated, because their foremost people had fallen, and 
their places could not be filled at once. Meanwhile 
they regarded the horse's head as their greatest 
trophy. Xikotenkatl carried it off himself and sent 
it to the Council. 

Cortes thereupon intrenched himself in a con- 

[76] 



) 



BATTLE AND DEFEAT 



venient place and attempted once more to induce 
the Tlaxcalans to come to a peaceful agreement. 
He despatched some of the prisoners to make offers 
of peace as well as to warn them of the dreadful 
consequences they might expect in case they con- 
tinued hostilities. Xikotenkatl was so furious at 
his offers that he mutilated the messengers shame- 
fully and drove them back to the Spanish camp to 
notify the general that he would appear the next 
morning with a countless force, capture his entire 
army, and sacrifice it to his deities. The news was 
not very consoling, but it was accompanied by some- 
thing that considerably sweetened its bitterness. 
Xikotenkatl at the same time sent three hundred 
Indian fowls and a great quantity of other pro- 
visions so as to get the enemy in good condition 
before he slaughtered them. The Spaniards laughed 
at his bombastic folly and relished the gifts which 
gave them fresh strength for the morrow's struggle. 
Xikotenkatl was as good as his word. He appeared 
at daybreak with a multitude of warriors, and the 
battle began anew with extraordinary fury on both 
sides. The issue for a long time seemed in doubt, 
but at last European skill prevailed in spite of the 
hordes of the enemy and their desperate courage. 
The Tlaxcalans gave way, and the Spaniards held 
the field. 

But even this third defeat failed completely to 
daunt these warlike people. They were now more 
than ever convinced that the Europeans, all and 

[77] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



every one of them, were wizards who could not 
be vanquished in the usual way and that the magic 
of their enemies must be thwarted by the arts 
of their own magicians. They had some priestly 
impostors who told them that with their spells they 
could see into the future and perform divers feats 
surpassing human power. They were called into 
Council and offered the following advice: The 
Spaniards are the Children of the Sun. By day 
their mother strengthens them with her rays and 
they are invincible. But at night, when the sun 
loses her maternal influence, their superhuman power 
disappears and they are no stronger than ordinary 
beings. 

The superstitious Tlaxcalans did not doubt the 
truth of this for an instant and hastened to avail 
themselves of the discovery by making a night 
attack. But Cortes was too watchful and far-sighted 
to be surprised by such an enemy. He stationed 
his outposts carefully so that he might have instant 
intelligence of their moves and be prepared to 
meet them. When the Tlaxcalans made their 
attack they found the Spaniards already under 
arms and although they fought desperately they 
were at last driven back with great loss. These 
poor people were now in a state of utter perplexity. 
They were convinced the Spaniards were super- 
human, else, how was it that in all the battles they 
lost thousands and the Spaniards not a single man? 

But the problem which troubled them most was 

[78] 



BATTLE AND DEFEAT 



the goodness or badness of their own divinities. The 
first thing which impressed itself upon them was 
the necessity of getting rid of their deceitful sorcerers 
and doing away with human sacrifice. Their next 
step was to send an imposing delegation to pray 
for peace. It was composed of their most dis- 
tinguished people, who went to the Spanish camp in 
their ceremonial dresses, adorned with white feathers, 
the symbol of peace, and at a distance made signs 
of their extreme reverence. From time to time 
they stopped and touched first the earth and then 
their lips. This ceremony was repeated several 
times until they reached the intrenchments, before 
which they burned incense and repeated the signs 
of reverence already described. Cortes received 
them with a haughty dignity, in order to impress 
them with dread, and ordered them to speak. They 
obeyed, and their first remarkable utterance was 
this: 

"Be you cruel and vengeful divinities, we deliver 
to you these five slaves that you may drink their 
blood and eat of their flesh. Be you gentle gods, 
we give you an offering of incense and white feathers. 
Be you men, we offer you meat and bread and fruits 
for your nourishment." 

They further declared that they had come to ask 
forgiveness for the past hostility of their people 
and at the same time to supplicate for peace. Cortes, 
still retaining his haughty demeanor, bitterly re- 
proached them for their contemptuous rejection 

[79] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



of his friendly advances, but added that he was 
ready to forget the past if they, from that time 
forward, would remain quiet and make compensa- 
tion for the offences they had committed. With 
these words he dismissed them. As soon as his 
answer was taken to Tlaxcala, the Council issued 
a general order to all the people thereabout that 
they should supply the camp of these wonderful 
strangers with subsistence and refrain from taking 
pay for it. The order was obeyed with a willingness 
and promptness which surprised the Spaniards. 
Two days later a great and imposing procession was 
seen approaching the camp from Tlaxcala. The 
attire of the natives showed it was peaceful of inten- 
tion and Cortes ordered it to be received without the 
slightest hint of distrust. 

At the head of this delegation was the brave 
Xikotenkatl, his attendants being fifty of the fore- 
most of the people in splendid attire. He wore 
a long, white, military cloak which was richly 
adorned with feathers and precious stones. He was 
tall and slender, active and nervous, and his per- 
sonal appearance indicated dignity and courage. 
After making obeisance to the Spanish commander in 
the fashion of the country, he seated himself in the 
most informal manner, without even asking per- 
mission, and declared in a manly way that he was 
alone responsible for the hostilities which had oc- 
curred, because he had supposed that the Spaniards 
were supporting Montezuma, his enemy. He sur- 

[so] 



BATTLE AND DEFEAT 



rendered himself willingly, therefore, into the hands 
of his conqueror, and would take upon himself all 
the responsibility for his acts, and asked forgiveness, 
and would agree to maintain peace in the name of 
the Council, the nobility, and the people. The city of 
Tlaxcala stood ready to receive Cortes and his whole 
army and entertain them hospitably. Cortes was 
delighted with the frank, bold, open-hearted manner 
of the young warrior and could not help expressing 
his esteem for him. But he did not refrain from 
reproaching him for the bitter opposition he had 
made, ending with the assurance that in a few days 
he would accept the invitation to go to Tlaxcala. 

In the meantime messengers from Montezuma 
arrived with new gifts and with fresh protests 
against Cortes' determination to go to Mexico. 
Their principal object, however, was to prevent 
Cortes from making an alliance with the Tlaxcalans. 
To this end they told dreadful stories of the faith- 
lessness of that people. Cortes, however, did not 
heed their warnings, being confident he had just as 
little reason to fear their secret plans as open hostility 
in the field. The Tlaxcalans were much disturbed 
because Cortes did not come to them immediately, 
and concluded that Montezuma's messengers had 
prejudiced him against them. To remove all grounds 
for suspicion the entire Council decided to go to 
the camp and offer themselves as hostages. The 
procession moved with great stateliness. All were 
arrayed in white garments of peace, and each one 

[81] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



of the officials was borne in a kind of litter. The 
most conspicuous person in this dignified company 
was XikotenkatPs father, a venerable old man, who 
was blind but still intellectually vigorous. He seated 
himself next to Cortes, embraced him with a noble 
kind of frankness, and touched his face and body to 
get some idea of his appearance. The speech which 
he made is so impressive and beautiful that it merits 
preservation as a sample of manly eloquence. He 
spoke as follows: 

"Magnanimous General! Whether you are of 
the race of the immortals or not, you have the high 
Council of Tlaxcala in your power, and it gives you 
herewith the great symbols of its obedience. We 
have no desire to excuse the faults of our nation, 
but only express the hope that our sincerity will 
mitigate your anger. We have not only abandoned 
our purpose of making war upon you, but we have 
also decided to pray for peace. We know that 
Montezuma is seeking to secure you as an ally. 
But if you listen to him you must remember he is 
our enemy. We do not ask you to assist us against 
him. We are strong enough to defend ourselves, 
but it will grieve us if you believe his promises, for 
we know his deceitfulness and, although I am blind, 
I see a sure light revealing to me the disaster which 
will overtake you. You will have peace with us if 
Montezuma does not prevent it. Why should he re- 
strain you? Why should you not grant our prayer? 
Why will you not honor our city with your presence? 

[82] 



BATTLE AND DEFEAT 



We are fully resolved either to win your friendship 
and confidence or to leave our freedom in your 
hands. Choose now which you prefer, for no mid- 
dle course is of any avail to us. We must either be 
your good friends or your bondmen." 

Who could resist such an appeal from such an 
old man? Cortes could not. He replied that he 
would grant their every wish. He asked only that 
they should furnish him people to carry the baggage 
and heavy ammunition. On the following morning 
six hundred burden bearers appeared who contested 
for the honor of carrying the heaviest loads. The 
entrance of the Spaniards into Tlaxcala resembled 
a triumph. The streets were filled with great mul- 
titudes. There was such shouting and jubilation 
that one could not hear himself speak. Young 
maidens covered the strangers with flowers. The 
priests appeared in their ceremonial robes and 
burned incense. The entire Council and the leaders 
of the people met them and welcomed them. Every- 
where confidence, peace, and harmony prevailed. 
A fitting residence was ready for their sacred guest, 
whom they called Teules, or divinity. Cortes, as 
soon as he occupied it, stationed sentinels at all 
the approaches. This troubled the Tlaxcalans, who 
regarded it as a sign of distrust, but when they were 
informed that this was the custom of European 
soldiers, even in times of peace, they were no longer 
alarmed, and Xikotenkatl himself introduced the 
practice in his own army. Cortes recognized more 

[8 3 ] 



\ 



HERNANDO CORTES 



and more the great advantage the friendship of 
this martial nation would be to him. He therefore 
ordered his men to treat them in a just and friendly 
manner, and he himself adopted every means in his 
power to strengthen the confidence and respect he 
had already gained. 



[8 4 ] 



Chapter VII 



March to the Sacred City of Cholula — The N atives Plot the 
Destruction of the Spaniards — Cortes Discovers their 
Treachery and Slaughters Several Thousand Indians 
— March to Mexico — Montezuma Meets the Strangers 
and Escorts them to the Capital 



HE Spaniards rested a little in Tlaxcala after 



their exertions and their life among the na- 



tives was very peaceable. Several daughters 
of caciques married prominent Spanish officers, and 
from these unions distinguished Spanish noblemen 
have sprung. The caciques did not offer their 
daughters in marriage to Cortes, for they thought he 
was married to Marina, or Malinace, he appeared so 
often in her company. 

But days of rest must have an end. Cortes began 
preparations for the advance to Mexico with his 
army and an auxiliary force of six thousand brave 
Tlaxcalans. While thus engaged, another delega- 
tion from Montezuma appeared. They brought 
costly gifts upon golden platters of beautiful work- 
manship, and richly embroidered fabrics of linen 
and feather work. The messengers spoke timidly 
and hesitatingly. They begged Cortes not to enter 




[85] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



into an alliance with the low and barbarous Tlax- 
calans, but to go alone with his army to Cholula, 1 
as the Emperor had given orders he should be fitly 
received there and his soldiers properly cared for. 
The Tlaxcalans regarded this invitation with sus- 
picion. They were sure that Montezuma meditated 
treachery and begged Cortes not to expose himself 
to the danger awaiting him at Cholula. Cortes 
thanked his Indian friends for their solicitude, but 
assured them that European soldiers were not in 
the habit of avoiding any danger, however great it 
might be. He broke camp at once and marched to 
Cholula. 

The reception he met was unusually friendly and 
respectful. The Tlaxcalan auxiliaries, being sworn 
enemies of the Cholulans, were not allowed to enter 
the city and were obliged to occupy a convenient 
spot outside the walls. They had already learned 
from their European friends how to intrench them- 
selves, and they at once put their knowledge into 
practice. After a few days of rest, events gradually 
occurred which confirmed the suspicions of the 
Tlaxcalans. Provisions were supplied sparingly, 
the authorities displayed more coolness, and Monte- 
zuma's representatives had frequent interviews with 
them. Two Tlaxcalans shortly appeared, who had 



1 Cholula is a small town sixty miles southeast of the city of Mexico. 
Its principal feature is its so-called Pyramid, a lofty mound or series 
of mounds which was probably the site of the Indian village at the 
time of the conquest. 

[86] 



MARCH TO MEXICO 

stolen into the city in disguise and informed Cortes 
they had seen a multitude of women and children 
fleeing by night to adjacent places and that they 
learned from them that six young children had been 
sacrificed in a principal temple, — a custom always 
observed when any hostile movement was to be 
undertaken. They advised him, therefore, to be 
on his guard against attack. While Cortes was now 
using the utmost watchfulness to discover the secret 
purposes of the Cholulans, chance suddenly revealed 
the whole matter. A prominent Cholulan woman 
had conceived an unusual attachment for Marina, 
the interpreter. She was anxious to save her new 
friend from the universal massacre, which had been 
planned, and told her confidentially of the bloody 
designs of her people so that she might escape before 
it was too late. Marina, who was both shrewd 
and heartily devoted to the Spaniards, pretended 
she would follow the warnings of the Indian woman 
and induced her to disclose the whole plot without 
reserve. She learned that upon the day fixed for 
the massacre a force of Mexican soldiers would be 
concealed in the neighborhood of Cholula, for the 
purpose of rushing in at the appointed time, obstruct- 
ing the streets by filling them with holes, lightly 
covered, into which horses would stumble and fall, 
and conveying great quantities of stones and other 
missiles to the roofs of houses and temples to be 
showered down upon the Spaniards, thus making 
their destruction inevitable. 

[87] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



Marina hastened to bring the news to her friend 
Cortes and the latter lost no time in devising means 
to prevent the disaster which threatened him. 
His first step was to persuade the Indian woman and 
two high priests by threats and bribes to make a 
full confession of the plot. Then he decided to set 
such an example of revenge that Montezuma and 
his followers would never again engage in such an 
undertaking. To effect this, he drew up his people 
and the Zempoalans in battle order in the courtyard 
of the large building which had been assigned him as 
quarters. TheTlaxcalans were instructed to enter the 
city when they heard the first shot and under vari- 
ous pretences decoy the principal Cholulan leaders 
to the Spanish quarters where they would be arrested. 
Everything being arranged, Cortes gave the signal for 
attack and the massacre began. 

The Spaniards and Zempoalans advanced, and 
the Tlaxcalans at the same time entered the city. 
Furiously they swept through the streets from all 
sides and countless corpses marked the course of the 
destroyers. The native leaders stood as if thunder- 
struck and hardly dared to raise their trembling 
hands in defence. The Mexican force advanced to 
protect them, but it was easily overcome. To escape 
the sword, they and many of the natives sought 
shelter in a temple. Cortes led his men there in 
close ranks and loudly shouted that all who would 
come out and surrender in good faith should be 
spared. Only one person availed himself of the offer, 

[88] 



MARCH TO MEXICO 



the rest preferring apparently to die rather than 
submit. Cortes then proceeded to the commission 
of a deed from which we turn our eyes with pity 
and horror and at which humanity will always 
shudder. He fired the temple, and the multitude 
of unfortunates in it were victims of the flames. 
This horrible massacre went on two whole days — 
two days of rapine, fire, and slaughter, but women 
and children were spared by Cortes' order. At last 
revenge seemed complete, the lust of plunder was 
satiated, and the bloody deed ended. The leaders, 
who had been made prisoners, were released. Cortes 
upbraided them for their treachery which had made 
the massacre necessary, and ordered them to recall 
the fugitive natives and restore the former order. 
Universal pardon was proclaimed and an idolatrous 
respect for the Spaniards and fear of their terrible 
power soon took possession of the Cholulans who had 
survived. In a few days the devastated city was 
once more crowded with natives, humbly submissive 
to the murderers of their kindred and destroyers of 
their temple. 

Fourteen days had hardly passed since the entrance 
of the Spaniards into Cholula before Cortes decided 
to resume his march to the capital, without further 
loss of time. The army set out. Cortes was active at 
every spot where his presence was necessary, now in 
the advance, now in the rear, encouraging the weak, 
urging on the laggards, and striving to inspire each 
one with the enthusiasm he himself felt. He never 



HERNANDO CORTES 



failed to make the rounds at night to see if every 
one was at his post. Upon one occasion his watch- 
fulness came near proving fatal. He came too near 
a sentinel who did not recognize him in the dark- 
ness and aimed his cross-bow at him. His quick 
outcry of the watchword for the night alone saved 
him. 

The army advanced vigorously, and the farther 
it penetrated the country, the more reason Cortes 
had to expect a successful issue to his undertaking. 
Everywhere he heard complaints of Montezuma's 
tyranny and cruelty. Everywhere he found gov- 
ernors ready to shake off his yoke. The Spaniards 
soon left the pleasant, level country, their way 
leading through the mountainous region, which 
divides the great tablelands of Mexico and Puebla. 1 
The higher they ascended, the sharper and more 
piercing grew the air, and the wind which swept 
down the frozen mountain sides made the soldiers, 
shiver, even in their thick woollen uniforms, and 
benumbed the limbs of men and horses. Their road 
led them between two of the highest mountains of 
the North American continent, Popocatepetl, 2 or 

1 Puebla is a Mexican State of about 12,000 square miles. Its cap- 
ital is La Puebla de los Angeles, the second city in the Republic. It was 
the scene of many struggles during the conquest, and of revolts in the 
last century. The capital derives its name from the legend that angel 
hosts were seen in the heavens above its site before the conquest. 

2 Popocatepetl is a volcano forty-five miles southeast of the Mexican 
capital. Its crater is 5000 feet in width and the peak is 17,853 feet 
high. It is called the "smoking mountain," from popoca, "to smoke," 
and tepetl, "mountain." 

[90] 



MARCH TO MEXICO 



"Smoking Mountain," and Iztaccihuatl, 1 or the 
"White Lady." The natives held the former moun- 
tain sacred to their divinities and for this reason 
had never made an attempt to ascend it, but the 
mysterious dread with which the place was invested 
and the unconquerable love of adventure made 
some of the Spanish knights eager to accomplish 
a feat which the natives considered impossible and 
involving the lives of those who attempted it. 
Cortes encouraged them for he was anxious to con- 
vince the Indians that his followers never flinched 
from any danger. A captain, Ordaz by name, nine 
Spaniards, and some of the Tlaxcalans, who had 
plucked up courage by this time, undertook the 
ascent. After overcoming many obstacles and dan- 
gers, they reached the height of thirteen thousand 
feet. At this point the Indians, alarmed by a 
strange subterranean rumbling of the volcano, would 
go no farther. The Europeans, however, advanced 
to the vicinity of the crater, but the smoke, sparks, 
and ashes from the burning interior forced them to 
return. 

The army continued its march among hills and 
through ravines. After great exertions a sight 
met their eyes which compensated them for their 
trials and filled them all with delight. A vast 
and beautiful country lay before them, and in the 

1 Iztaccihuatl is an extinct volcano north of Popocatepetl, about 
17,000 feet high. It derives the name of "the white lady" because 
its west side bears some resemblance to a woman in a white shroud. 

[91] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



midst of it a lake, which looked like the sea. Along 
this lake were many stately cities and towns, and 
in their midst the queen of them all, the far-away glis- 
tening capital, splendid with its many temples and 
towers. 1 They had reached the valley of Mexico, 
or Tenochtitlan, 2 as the natives call it. At first 
view of this magnificent region the astonished 
Europeans stood as if uncertain whether they were 
awake or dreaming. All their past dangers dis- 
appeared like mists vanishing before the sun, and 
they were ready now for anything that might hap- 
pen. Cortes observed their enthusiasm with delight 
and cautiously advanced along the shore of the 
lake toward the stately capital. 

Suddenly a great crowd of people appeared coming 
from the capital toward them. There were over 
a thousand, evidently persons of distinction as they 
wore elegant cloaks and tufts of feathers. They 
approached the Spanish army in respectful still- 
ness, and each of them displayed his deepest rev- 
erence for the general, as they informed him that 
Montezuma himself was drawing near. The van- 
guard of the capital next appeared, two hundred 

1 The City of Mexico at the time of the conquest was in all its splen- 
dor and, as described by Cortes, "a thing of fairy creation rather than 
the work of mortal hands." It was about twelve miles in circumference, 
intersected by canals, and connected with the mainland by six cause- 
ways. The lake has diminished in depth and extent and is now two 
and a half miles away from the city. 

2 "Tenochtitlan" (nopal or cactus on a stone) was the original name 
of the city, afterward changed to "Mexico" in honor of the war god 
Mexitli. 

[92] 



MARCH TO MEXICO 



in number, uniformly costumed and decorated with 
feathers. These came barefooted in pairs, and, 
as soon as they reached the head of the Span- 
ish, army, stationed themselves so as to afford 
a view of the glistening ranks of court attendants 
in whose midst Montezuma 1 himself was conspicu- 
ous in a golden sedan chair. Four of the leading 
personages of the Empire bore it upon their 
shoulders. Others held a beautifully constructed 
canopy over him, which seemed to be made of some 
fine material embroidered with silver and adorned 
with green feathers. In advance of this brilliant 
procession went three magisterial persons with 
golden staves which they raised ceremoniously 
from time to time. At this signal all prostrated 
themselves and covered their faces as if they were 
unworthy to look upon the person of their exalted 
monarch. 

As soon as the procession was sufficiently near, 
Cortes dismounted from his horse and hastened to . 
pay his respects to the monarch. The latter at the 
same time stepped from his chair and rested, leaning 
upon the shoulders of two princes, then advanced 
with slow and stately stride to meet the dreaded 
stranger, walking upon carpets which his followers 
laid down so that his feet should not touch the 



1 Montezuma, in Aztec Matenczoma, was born in 1479. He was 
the son of Axayacatl and succeeded his uncle in 1503. Some of his 
descendants are said to be living in Mexico now, and his name is still 
held in great respect among the Indians. 

[93] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



ground. Cortes met him cordially and greeted him 
with a low bow after the European manner. Mon- 
tezuma replied to the greeting with an obeisance 
which in his country was significant of the highest 
respect. He kissed his own hand and then touched 
the ground with it. This condescension from the 
proudest of monarchs, who was accustomed to greet 
even the images of his divinities with a careless nod 
of the head, greatly astonished the Mexicans and 
induced the conviction that these strangers were 
divine and not human beings. The word "Teules" 
(gods) was constantly on their lips. Cortes wore 
over his armor a necklace set with paste stones which 
he intended to give the Emperor. As soon as the 
ceremony of greeting was over, he took this false 
ornament and hung it about the neck of Montezuma. 
The Emperor appeared pleased at this attention and 
ordered one of his own costly ornaments to be 
brought — a necklace of very rare shells, from each 
of which on both sides depended four golden crabs. 
He handed this decoration to his guest, which still 
further increased the astonishment of his people. 

Montezuma appeared to be about forty years 
of age. He was of medium size and rather thin. 
He had a very majestic appearance, a pleasing coun- 
tenance, and in color was not so brownish yellow 
as the rest of the Mexicans. He wore a long cloak 
of fine woollen stuff which was literally covered with 
ornaments, pearls, and gems. A golden crown, much 
resembling a bishop's mitre, comprised his head- 

[94] 



EE TING OF CORTES AND MONTEZUMA 



MARCH TO MEXICO 



dress. His shoes were made of solid gold plates 
fastened with straps and gold buckles. 

The entry was now made with his guest. The city 
was large and populous. According to the Spanish 
historians it had twenty thousand flat houses or 
adobes and a multitude of temples and palaces which 
in size and splendor exceeded anything ever seen 
before in the New World. One of the largest of 
these so-called palaces was assigned to Cortes as his 
headquarters, and Montezuma accompanied him 
there. As soon as they arrived he left, in order to 
have time for rest, as he said, and, as he was going 
away, begged Cortes to make himself as much at 
home as if he were among his own brethren. 

Cortes stationed sentinels as usual and placed 
cannon at all the approaches to the palace and ordered 
his officers and soldiers not to relax their vigilance. 



[95] 



Chapter VIII 



Religious Rites of the Mexicans — Human Sacrifices — 
The Natives Discover that the Spaniards are not Divine 
but Human 



N the evening of the same day Montezuma 



and his brilliant retinue returned to make 



the first visit to their much honored guest. 
As soon as Cortes was notified of his approach, he 
went to the courtyard, received him with a low bow, 
and conducted him to his apartment. The Mexican 
Emperor seated himself familiarly and requested the 
general to be seated also. His attendants ranged 
themselves at the side of the room and the Span- 
iards did the same. Marina, the interpreter, was 
stationed near by, and the Emperor began a cere- 
monious address, in which he made a strenuous 
effort to remove any prejudice which Cortes might 
entertain against him, growing out of harmful 
reports. "Some have said," he stated, "that I 
belong to the immortal gods, others have striven 
to calumniate me, representing me as a haughty and 
cruel tyrant. The first of these reports is as false 
as the other. The refutation of the one will expose 
the falsity of the other." With these words, he 
bared his arm and requested Cortes to convince 
himself by sight and touch that he was made of 




[96] 



RELIGIOUS RITES 



flesh and blood like other men — a fact of which 
Cortes had no doubt. After this he continued his 
assurances that the reports of his tyranny, with 
which his enemies had sought to prejudice Cortes 
against him, were unfounded. After these pre- 
liminaries he expressed his sentiments as to the 
arrival of the Spaniards and the object of their 
visit in the following words: 

"We know from traditions which have come down 
to us from old times that our ancestors came from 
a distant region and conquered those countries which 
are to-day subject to my authority. Their leader 
was the great Quetzalcoatl, 1 who, after he had 
established our Empire, left this part of the world 
again to take possession of other regions toward 
the east. But he prophesied that some time a 
people descended from him would come to us and 
change our laws and whole system of government. 
Now I see from all that has been told of your coming 
here, and from what I myself have observed, that 
you are the descendants of that great ancestor. For 
this reason I have received you not as strangers but 
as kindred, and declare to you that we recognize you 
as the representative of the great Eastern ruler and 
that your authority will not be disputed by me or 
my people." 

1 Quetzalcoatl in the Mexican religion represents the god of the 
air, and in legend a ruler and civilizer. He is described as a white 
man with long black hair and beard, who came from Yucatan and 
preached austerity and virtue as well as hatred of war. His name 
means "the feathered serpent." 

[97] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



Cortes rejoiced at this news which was favorable 
to his intentions. He confirmed the superstitious 
Montezuma in his belief and satisfied him that the 
prophecy of the great Quetzalcoatl had been ful- 
filled and that he and his Spaniards were his de- 
scendants. "In the meantime," he added, "while 
it is evident that the exalted monarch of the East, 
whose most humble servant I have the honor to be, 
has a just claim upon all your countries, yet he is 
too far away personally to assert his claim. He 
only desires of you and your people that you shall 
abandon your errors and accept the true faith which 
he has commissioned me to announce. You are 
living under a false religion. You are worshipping 
senseless blocks, made by your own hands. There 
is but one true God, and He has created and governs 
everything that is. This one Being, who is without 
beginning and without end, has made out of nothing 
the whole universe, the flaming sun which shines 
upon all, the earth and all that is in it, and the first 
man, from whom we are all descended. We are all 
obliged to recognize the First Cause of all things, 
and for that reason the King, my master, invites 
you, great Emperor, and all your people to accept 
these sentiments and maintain affectionate and 
brotherly relations with him. He desires you to 
enter into a friendly alliance which will always be 
of great advantage to you." 

Montezuma was visibly excited by Cortes' address. 
It was so intolerable to hear his deities insulted that 

[98] 



RELIGIOUS RITES 



it was with difficulty he could restrain his impatience 
until Cortes ended. Then he arose somewhat hastily 
and replied that while he gratefully accepted the offer 
of friendly relations with a prince descended from 
Quetzalcoatl, these relations might be maintained 
without giving up his own deities for the God whom 
the Spaniards worshipped. With these words he 
closed the interview and, after bestowing some costly 
gifts, made his way back to his palace. 

On the next day, accompanied by his leading offi- 
cers, Cortes went with much ceremony for another 
interview with the Emperor. This one lasted longer 
than the first. Montezuma asked a hundred ques- 
tions about the European mode of life, habits, and 
customs, but Cortes, who had not these matters so 
much at heart as the work of conversion, seized 
every opportunity to give the conversation a relig- 
ious turn, and specially inveighed against the cruel 
custom of human sacrifices. At the close of the 
interview Montezuma exhibited to his guests the 
splendors of the temples. He conducted them to 
the largest of these, and the priests offered no 
objection to their admission upon condition that 
nothing unseemly should be done. Montezuma 
himself exhibited and explained everything to them. 
He told the names of the deities, the highest of 
which was called Bitzliputzli, and described the 
worship which was paid to each of them. As these 
heathenish rites were inexpressibly shocking, Cortes 
asked permission to place the Cross of Christ in 

[99] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



the temple, thinking that it would soon convince 
them that their deities were powerless. Monte- 
zuma listened to the proposal with the greatest 
displeasure, and the priests with amazement. The 
Emperor soon recovered his composure, however, 
and merely replied that he had expected his guests 
would show the same respect for the place where 
they were that they had shown to him. With 
these words he passed out, telling the Spaniards 
they were at liberty to repair to their own quar- 
ters, but as for himself he would remain to ask 
pardon of his deities for his extraordinary pa- 
tience. 

The natives of Mexico professed a horrible religion, 
of which human sacrifice was the principal feature. 
They often made war upon neighboring people for 
no other purpose than to capture prisoners to be 
slaughtered upon their altars and afterward eaten. 
During battle they spared the lives of their enemies, 
saving them for a more terrible death by the knives 
of the priests. The number of these unfortunate 
victims sometimes reached thousands in a single day. 
Some historians have placed it as high as twenty- 
five thousand. If the nation were at peace for a 
long time and no prisoners were available for offer- 
ings, the priests would notify the Emperor that the 
deities were suffering from hunger. As soon as the 
Emperor's proclamation spread the news through 
the country that the deities were ready for a ban- 
quet, it was the signal for a general war upon their 

[ ioo ] 



RELIGIOUS RITES 



neighbors. Then as soon as a sufficient number of 
prisoners had been collected, the priests began their 
hideous business. It cannot be denied that the 
various calamities which befell the natives at the 
hands of the tyrannical Europeans were a very great 
wrong, but, as compared with the terrible cruelties 
practised before their arrival, it must be acknowl- 
edged that these unfortunate people upon the whole 
gained more than they lost by submission to the 
Spanish yoke. 

Cortes' delight over the successful progress of his 
undertaking up to this time was now disturbed by 
reflections upon the dangerous situation into which 
he had so recklessly plunged. He realized all too 
clearly that he had ventured more than he might 
be able to carry out, and that the fate of himself 
and his army rested in the hands of a prince whose 
real intentions seemed to grow more and more mys- 
terious. The Tlaxcalans from the beginning had 
not ceased to warn him that Montezuma's object in 
receiving him in his capital was to catch him in a 
trap from which there was no way of escape. The 
disposition of this ruler and the peculiar situation 
of his capital lent probability to these warnings. 
Should they destroy the causeways located along 
the lake, which were the only approaches to the 
city, he saw that he would be completely cut off 
from the rest of the world and surrounded by a 
multitude against whose superior numbers neither 
his courage nor his weapons might be of any avail. 

[ ioi ] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



In this emergency a very unpleasant event had 
occurred at Vera Cruz, of which Cortes received 
information shortly before this time. 

Quauhpopoka, one of the Mexican generals, after 
Cortes' departure for that region, determined to 
punish those people who had revolted and placed 
themselves under the protection of the Spaniards. 
Escalante, the governor of Vera Cruz, considered 
himself bound to assist his allies. At the head of his 
little band and with the two remaining horses he 
offered battle. He held his ground, but he himself 
and seven others were fatally wounded. The most 
unfortunate event of the battle was the killing of 
one of the horses and the capture of one of his men. 
The Mexicans killed their prisoner at once and sent 
his head to various cities as a proof that the Span- 
iards were not immortal. At last their trophy 
reached the capital. Cortes, who naturally was dis- 
turbed by the dangers confronting him, spent that 
night in earnest consideration of methods to escape 
them. Toward morning he summoned some of his 
faithful Tlaxcalans to ascertain just what they had 
seen or heard of Montezuma's secret designs. Their 
statements confirmed his suspicions as well as his 
determination to carry out the plan he had settled 
upon. They specially informed him that the lead- 
ing officials had acted mysteriously for several days, 
that the head of a Spaniard had been sent among the 
provinces, and that Montezuma had issued orders 
to conceal it. Finally they declared they had heard 

[ 102] 



RELIGIOUS RITES 



that preparations were already being made to destroy 
the causeways. 

This was enough for Cortes. His decision was 
made, and he endeavored to convince his officers that 
there was no other way of escape except that which 
he had planned. 



[ 103 ] 



Chapter IX 



Montezuma is Made a Prisoner — Quauhpopoka and His 
Leaders Burned — The Mexicans Swear Allegiance to 
the King of Spain 



CORTES summoned his officers to a council 
of war and set before them the great danger 
to which they would be exposed in case 
Montezuma attacked them. They recognized at 
once that the situation must be met. Some , were 
of opinion they should leave the city entirely and 
cross the causeways before their road was cut off. 
Others suggested that they should retire with the 
knowledge of the Emperor. Both these measures, 
however, appeared unwise, since any withdrawal 
would seem like flight and would involve not only a 
battle with the Mexicans but also the contempt 
of their allies. Cortes announced a plan, inspired 
by the highest daring in the face of a desperate 
situation. He would make Montezuma a prisoner, 
leaving him an appearance of sovereignty, but 
actually ruling in his name. The deed of Quauh- 
popoka, for which the Emperor was responsible, 
would furnish justification for his imprisonment. 
After the council had approved this project, prepara- 
tions were made to carry it out. The whole force 
[ 104] 



MONTEZUMA MADE PRISONER 

was placed under arms in the closed courtyard 
in readiness at the first signal to go to the help of 
the general. Some small detachments were ordered 
to occupy the streets leading to Montezuma's palace, 
which would not create excitement, as the people 
were used to seeing armed Spaniards. When the 
hour came in which Cortes was accustomed to 
wait upon the Emperor, he betook himself with 
five officers and thirty of the bravest men in his 
army to the palace. This also aroused no suspicion, 
for a military escort was a common spectacle. 

Cortes as usual was courteously received and was 
conducted to Montezuma's apartment with his offi- 
cers and interpreter. The servants withdrew and the 
venturesome scene began. With a countenance ex- 
pressive of the highest indignation Cortes denounced 
the faithless act of Quauhpopoka, who, at a time of 
peace, and in defiance of justice, had attacked his 
people and allies, inhumanly slaughtered a Spaniard, 
and sent his head through the country as a show. 
He added that report made Montezuma himself re- 
sponsible for this and therefore he was forced to 
demand satisfaction for the insult which had been 
offered to his master, the greatest monarch of the 
earth. 

Montezuma was so terrified that he turned pale, 
but he declared by all that was most sacred he was 
in no way responsible for the outrage. As a proof of 
his innocence he added that he would at once order 
Quauhpopoka and his accomplices to be brought to 

[105] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



Mexico in chains. Cortes thereupon assumed a more 
friendly attitude and assured Montezuma that as far 
as he himself was concerned he was entirely content, 
but to satisfy his enraged soldiers he would have to 
demand more. They would never be persuaded that 
such a deed could have happened without the Em- 
peror's knowledge if he did not agree publicly to 
prove his good faith and sincere friendship. The 
proof which they demanded was his presence for sev- 
eral days in their quarters where they might offer 
fitting honors to His Majesty. 

Montezuma was beside himself with astonishment 
and indignation at this unusual demand. He was 
unable to speak and stood like a statue, while Cortes 
represented to him that this request of his soldiers 
was not unseemly as he would spend the time in 
quarters assigned to him in one of his own palaces. 
At last the astonished man came to himself and 
found words to express his indignation. With great 
dignity he said: "A sovereign of the Mexican Empire 
is not accustomed voluntarily to accept imprison- 
ment, and, even if I were capable of it, my subjects 
would never submit to such shameful treatment." 

Cortes, who was reluctant to use force, both 
flattered and threatened Montezuma to induce him 
to give his consent, but it was in vain. At last, 
after three hours had been wasted in useless talk, 
Velasquez De Leon, one of the Spanish officers, 
a young, excitable man, whose patience was ex- 
hausted, exclaimed with threatening gestures: "Why 

[106] 



MONTEZUMA MADE PRISONER 



all this consideration? Take him by force or kill 
him." Montezuma asked what he had said. Marina 
informed him and added that she trembled for his 
life if he refused to go. The poor man at once lost 
all courage. He realized that he was in the power 
of strong men and that he must expect the worst 
if he longer refused. He yielded to his fate, sprang 
from his seat, and informed Cortes he trusted to his 
assurances and would go with him. 

Thereupon he called together his leading officials 
and informed them that for important reasons he 
should spend a few days with his guest. They were 
greatly astonished but did not venture to oifer 
the least objection to the absolute will of their 
master. They carried the litter in which the unfor- 
tunate monarch was borne away from his own 
people, a prisoner under Spanish guard. Hardly 
was his removal known in the city before the streets 
were filled with crowds. Some shrieked, others 
wept, others threw themselves upon the ground as 
if in their last despairing agony. But Montezuma 
tried to calm them. He appeared with a smiling 
countenance, motioned to them with his hand, and 
assured them he was not a prisoner. He was 
voluntarily going to visit this guest for a few days. 
This quieted them somewhat, and the Spaniards 
proceeded without hindrance to their quarters with 
their prisoner. Montezuma went to an apartment 
he was accustomed to occupy and the attendants 
treated him with the utmost respect, as their general 

[107] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



had ordered. His first act was to send an order in 
Cortes' presence to his body-guard, to bring Quauh- 
popoka and the rest of the guilty ones in chains 
to the city. 

In due time Quauhpopoka, his son, and five of his 
principal people were brought to Mexico. Cortes 
called a council of war and the unfortunates were 
condemned to be burned alive. As soon as the 
decision was made, in order to humble this sub- 
missive monarch to the utmost and make a mockery 
of his former power, Cortes, in sight of all the 
people, arbitrarily emptied Montezuma's arsenal of 
the great quantity of spears, shields, and other 
weapons kept there, in order to make a pyre of it 
upon which to burn the victims, who were not guilty 
of crime for they had only done what their master 
had ordered. The weapons collected for the protec- 
tion of the Empire were heaped up. A countless 
multitude of dazed spectators stood there, not know- 
ing what to say or do. The awful sacrifice was 
made. 

At the same instant Cortes, accompanied by several 
officers and a soldier carrying iron fetters, went to 
Montezuma's apartment. He approached the terri- 
fied monarch and fiercely thundered at him that he 
was the malefactor, for he was the author of the 
outrages perpetrated by these victims. Hardly had 
he spoken these words when he turned his back 
upon the man fallen so low from his former high 
estate, and the soldier placed the fetters upon the 

[ 108 ] 



MONTEZUMA MADE PRISONER 



Emperor. Montezuma stood speechless, helpless, 
almost senseless. At last he broke into a loud wail, 
evidently expecting they would immediately lead 
him also to the place of punishment. But what 
made this piteous scene most touching was the 
demeanor of his faithful attendants, who prostrated 
themselves in silent grief at his feet, bedewing 
them with their tears. They raised his fetters to 
lighten their weight and placed little pieces of soft 
cloth between the iron and his skin that his precious 
limbs might not feel the pressure. It was a sight 
to bring tears of sympathy to the eyes of the most 
hard-hearted spectator. 

The punishment having been inflicted, Cortes 
approached Montezuma in a friendly manner and 
said that justice was satisfied. With these words 
he ordered his fetters taken off. The distracted and 
humiliated monarch was wellnigh overcome with 
delight. He embraced his oppressor over and over 
as he expressed his gratitude for his release. The 
unfortunate monarch in his excess of joy seemed to 
forget that the fetters taken from him now might 
soon be fastened more firmly than ever. 

Cortes now made one bold move after another 
to bring the Mexican people into complete subjection. 
He sent some of his officers through the country, 
partly to learn the extent and nature of each province 
and partly to discover the places where gold and 
silver were to be found. He also persuaded Monte- 
zuma, under various pretences, to remove the ablest 

[ 109] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



and most courageous of his officials and appoint 
in their places weak and unintelligent men who 
could easily be managed by the Spaniards. Then 
he made a last humiliating demand in his efforts 
to crush Montezuma's proud spirit. It was that 
he should publicly acknowledge himself a vassal 
of the Spanish King and bind himself to pay an 
annual tribute as a sign of his subjection. What 
could Montezuma do? His liberty, his life, were in 
the hands of Cortes. He realized that he must 
concede every demand, however exacting. 

He summoned the notables of his Empire, re- 
minded them of the old prophecy which was now 
fulfilled, and announced that from now on he and 
his Empire were subject to the great King of the 
East to whom sovereignty had descended from their 
common ancestor. With these words, the tears 
came to his eyes, showing how great was the sacri- 
fice he was making. There was a low murmur 
among the assembled Mexicans. Astonishment and 
indignation were visible on every face, and they 
appeared ready to maintain the rights of the Empire 
and their sovereign by force. But Cortes allayed 
their anger and prevented any outbreak by assuring 
them his master had no intention of taking his 
Empire from Montezuma but would be contented 
to become its protector. This assurance as well 
as their Emperor's demeanor quieted them, and the 
ceremonies which the Spaniards had arranged to 



[no] 



MONTEZUMA MADE PRISONER 

make Montezuma's subjection the more impressive 
were completed without interruption. Montezuma 
confirmed his allegiance by making a handsome gift 
and ordered the caciques of his country to do the 
same. 



[mi 



Chapter X 



Division of the Spoils — Cortes Attempts to Introduce Chris- 
tianity — Narvaez is Sent by Velasquez to Depose Cor- 
tes — Cortes Advances against Him 



NOW that mighty Mexico had become a Spanish 
Province, Cortes next proceeded to allot the 
collected spoils. They were divided into 
five parts. One was assigned to the King of Spain; 
the second to himself, as commander; the third was 
set apart as indemnity for those who had paid for 
their own equipment; and the remainder was given 
to the army. The share for each soldier and sailor 
was not as large as had been expected, which caused 
general dissatisfaction, but Cortes promptly quieted 
them by presenting them with a part of the treasure 
which properly belonged to him. 

The unfortunate Montezuma, as we have seen, 
had conceded all the demands made upon him, but 
to the great surprise of Cortes there was one which 
he firmly and steadfastly declined to yield. This 
was the abandonment of the religious belief of him- 
self and his people. Neither flattery nor threats 
moved him. Cortes, no longer able to endure its 
hideous cruelties, went to Montezuma with some of 
his officers and demanded that room should be made 

[112] 



DIVISION OF THE SPOILS 



for the Christian service in the principal temple. 
Montezuma was greatly surprised at the demand 
and replied that the Mexicans would never permit 
such a desecration of their temple, that resistance 
would be made, and much bloodshed would result, 
so great was their fear of the wrath of their deities. 
But when Cortes announced he would be satisfied 
if one tower were set apart for the Christian service, 
Montezuma answered that he would consult the 
priests about the matter. Their decision was favor- 
able, and the use of one of the sacred towers was 
granted. The news occasioned great joy in the 
Spanish quarters. The sacred place was cleared of 
its revolting impurities, an altar was erected with 
a cross and image of the Virgin upon it, and the 
walls were newly decorated. The soldiers entered 
in festal procession, the mass was heard, and the 
Te Deum sung with tears of gratitude. Thus the 
sweet tones of divine love and mercy mingled with 
the wild songs of the Indian priests in honor of 
Anahuak, a war god. 

This unnatural situation could not long continue. 
The Mexicans were greatly outraged because their 
religion was trodden under foot. They realized 
more clearly than ever the haughty insolence of 
these strangers, and they began to consider plans for 
their removal. The priests and leading men, who 
were present at private interviews with the impris- 
oned Emperor more frequently than of late, implored 
revenge for their insulted deities, and Montezuma's 

[ii 3 ] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



condition thus grew more dangerous and distressed. 
What should he do? Whither should he turn? At 
last he aroused himself and decided to take a middle 
course which wisdom pointed out as the safest. 
With this object in view, he summoned Cortes. 
The latter, whose suspicions had already been 
aroused by these private interviews of the priests 
and leading men with Montezuma, took the pre- 
caution of having twelve of his bravest men accom- 
pany him. His suspicions were confirmed when he 
entered Montezuma's apartment and observed a 
seriousness of expression on his face which he had 
never seen before. He was still more surprised 
when Montezuma seized his hand, drew him aside, 
and in an almost menacing tone said to him that, 
as the object for which his master had sent him was 
now accomplished, he hoped he would hasten his 
departure. 

At this unexpected reply, and moved still more 
by the dark look and decisive manner which accom- 
panied it, Cortes turned to his men and quietly 
ordered them to have the entire force under arms 
at once. Then with the utmost composure and 
indifference of manner he turned to Montezuma and 
replied that there was nothing he wished more 
heartily than to return to his fatherland, but, as all 
his vessels were destroyed, he must build others 
and would have to request the necessary assistance. 
Montezuma could not conceal his delight. He em- 
braced Cortes, overwhelmed him with caresses, and 

[ 114] 



DIVISION OF THE SPOILS 



assured him that his declaration would satisfy his 
priests and his subjects, both of whom were desirous 
the strangers should leave. Cortes now clearly as- 
certained the sentiment of the priests and the 
people, and came to the conclusion that the only 
way he could evade the danger threatening him 
and his plans was by continual dissimulation. He 
accordingly publicly ordered the construction of new 
vessels, secretly instructing the ship-carpenters, how- 
ever, to protract the work in every possible way, 
in hopes that the reinforcements he was expecting 
from Spain would arrive in the meantime. But 
truly, as if the punishment of heaven were following 
close upon his dishonest conduct, an event shortly 
occurred which plunged all his plans into desperate 
confusion. Montezuma hastily summoned him and 
showed him a picture, painted in the Mexican style 
upon white calico, of eighteen European vessels. 
The picture had been brought to the Emperor by 
swift runners with the news that these vessels were 
lying at anchor on his coasts. 

Cortes was delighted at this news, for it inspired 
the hope that these vessels had brought the con- 
firmation from Spain of his appointment as governor 
of the newly discovered country. But to his great 
astonishment he learned several days later from 
Sandoval, the governor at Vera Cruz, that the fleet 
which had arrived was sent out by Velasquez for no 
other purpose than to capture him and take him to 
Cuba for trial. As we know, Cortes had sent one 

["Sl 



HERNANDO CORTES 



of his vessels to Spain with samples of the rich 
products of Mexico, and at the same time to secure 
his appointment. Montejo and Puertocarrero, the 
commanders of this vessel, had received explicit 
orders not to touch at the island of Cuba. They 
were to leave the island as far to their right as pos- 
sible and sail around the point of Florida through 
the Bahamian Straits. But Montejo, who had 
property in Cuba, was so far forgetful of his duty 
to his superior as to attempt a visit to his posses- 
sions before sailing to Spain. He hardly reached 
the coast before Velasquez received news of his 
appearance. Velasquez' wrath was kindled anew. 
He despatched two strong vessels for the purpose 
of capturing Cortes' vessel with all on board, but 
luckily they received warning in time to effect their 
escape and sail for Spain without interference. 

Velasquez was now more furious than ever. He 
decided to fit out a powerful squadron, hunt out 
Cortes, and make him feel his vengeance. While 
preparing his expedition he received news from 
Spain that Cortes' vessel had safely arrived, and 
also learned just where Cortes was and the success 
of his operations up to that time. The equipment 
was pushed forward with redoubled vigor. The 
fleet consisted of eighteen vessels, carrying nine 
hundred foot-soldiers, eighteen troopers, and twelve 
cannon. It was a formidable force for those days 
and outnumbered Cortes' army two to one. Every- 
thing completed, Narvaez, a very bold, passionate, 

[116] 



DIVISION OF THE SPOILS 

implacable man, was made commander with the 
title of deputy-governor of the countries discovered 
by Cortes. He sailed from Cuba in March, 1520. 
It was toward the end of April when Cortes heard 
the news of the arrival. He now found himself in 
a critical position which grew more dangerous every 
day. Should he venture to oppose a European 
force twice as strong as his own? Should he remain 
in Mexico? In that case he would be exposed to 
attack from two formidable enemies at the same 
time, for it was more than likely that as soon as the 
Mexicans found he was in danger they would imme- 
diately rush to arms against him. In this state of 
uncertainty he received reports every day, each 
more disquieting than the other. He found that 
some of his soldiers were deserting to Narvaez and 
acquainting him with everything he wished to know. 
He heard that Narvaez was everywhere proclaiming 
that Cortes and all his men were traitors, who had 
undertaken the subjection of the Mexicans without 
the knowledge or consent of their sovereign; and 
that he had been sent to capture them and take 
them back in chains for punishment. Montezuma 
and the whole suffering nation were urged to make 
common cause with him and aid in the capture of 
this robber band. It may easily be imagined that 
this was delightful news to Montezuma and his 
oppressed subjects. Their joy and their willingness 
to aid Narvaez were apparent everywhere. Cortes 
meanwhile in the most positive manner denied the 

[117] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



reports which Narvaez had circulated, and assured 
the Mexicans these Europeans were his good friends, 
subjects of one and the same master, and that he 
and his men would soon depart with them. But 
indifferent as Cortes appeared, he was in reality 
greatly troubled. Meanwhile he considered every 
plan of escape from these dangers which his in- 
genuity suggested, and at last reached a decision 
which seemed to him both reasonable and bold. 
He would first discover whether he could make a 
friendly agreement with Narvaez, and if he failed, 
then he would resist him. 

He made the attempt but did not succeed. The 
impetuous Narvaez would not hear of any agree- 
ment, for he esteemed it an easy matter to overpower 
Cortes and his little force. Nothing now remained 
for Cortes but to defend himself as well as he could, 
and he made his preparations to do so. He ap- 
pointed Alvarado, a brave officer who was highly 
esteemed by the Mexicans, as commander at the 
capital and leader of one hundred and fifty men 
whom he decided to leave behind. He explicitly 
urged them to conduct themselves quietly and 
peaceably during his absence and to treat Monte- 
zuma respectfully as he had promised to remain 
under Spanish protection until Cortes returned. 

The bold man was now ready with this little rem- 
nant of his divided force to meet an enemy who 
not only greatly exceeded him in strength but was 
greatly embittered against him. 

[118] 



Chapter XI 



Cortes Defeats Narvaez — Meanwhile the Mexicans, Out- 
raged by Alvarado, Rise in Revolt — Cortes Returns 



NARVAEZ had advanced to Zempoala. San- 
doval, meanwhile, confiding the colony at 
Vera Cruz to the protection of the allies, 
hastened to unite his force with that of Cortes. 
They met at a spot about twelve miles distant 
from Zempoala, and numbered, all told, not more 
than two hundred and fifty men. Cortes steadily 
advanced upon Zempoala until he was only a mile 
away, and Narvaez, who had the utmost contempt 
for him, deciding to give battle at once, advanced 
to meet him with his greatly superior force. A 
fierce rain storm occurred that day, and Cortes 
had so well chosen a position on the opposite side 
of a swollen stream that Narvaez did not discover 
him. The latter's soldiers murmured and protested 
there was no enemy in the vicinity. "What is the 
use," they exclaimed, "of staying here to fight the 
elements? There is no enemy here and nothing to 
fear in such stormy weather. Let us return to 
Zempoala and be ready in the morning to defeat 
the enemy if he appears." Narvaez, who was not 
at all disinclined to follow their suggestion, returned, 

[119] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



gave the necessary instructions for their safety, and 
then displayed the most utter negligence, as if no 
enemy were near. His soldiers, many of whom were 
not yet accustomed to the hardships of the march, 
were delighted with the arrangements and were 
equally negligent. Cortes, believing that Narvaez' 
contempt for him, and the fatigue of his not yet 
hardened soldiers, would lead them to be off their 
guard, decided to make a night attack. He drew 
up his little army, explained his purpose, and found 
to his great delight that it was not at all necessary 
to encourage them in this venturesome task as all 
expressed their greatest willingness to follow him. 
The army was divided into three detachments, one 
led by Sandoval, one by Olid, and the other by Cortes 
himself. 

It was one of the darkest and most inhospitable 
nights imaginable. The swollen stream rushed along 
like a mountain torrent, and there was no way of 
crossing it except by fording. Cortes was the first 
to plunge in, and his men followed him with enthusi- 
astic alacrity. The water was up to their necks, but 
all save two men safely reached the other side. 
The dripping soldiers formed in order and marched 
to Zempoala in death-like stillness, each carrying 
a sword, a dagger, and a long Indian spear. The 
spear was for use against the enemy's cavalry. 
Cortes' conjectures were confirmed. Narvaez was so 
unconcerned that he had placed only two sentinels 
on guard. One of these was surprised and taken 

[ 120] 



CORTES DEFEATS NARVAEZ 

prisoner, the other escaped and fled to the city in a 
panic of fear to give the alarm. Narvaez' contempt 
for his enemy was so great that he declared the sen- 
tinel had been dreaming and that it was ridiculous 
to imagine that Cortes would dare to attack him 
voluntarily with a handful of men. 

Suddenly he heard the battle cry as Cortes and 
his men hurled themselves upon the city like a thun- 
derstorm, terror following in their wake. Too late 
Narvaez realized his foolish error, but he hastened 
as fast as he could to rally his men. He and his 
troops were quartered in and around a great temple 
which the enemy stormed so quickly and irresistibly 
that only a single cannon could be used against 
them. Sandoval, who commanded the advance, 
captured the cannon and drove the enemy helter- 
skelter up the temple steps. The struggle was a 
desperate one. Narvaez, who was in the temple, 
sought to rally his men and inspire them with the 
example of his own courage, but Sandoval continued 
driving them before him. Olid supported him, and 
Cortes, who forgot for the moment that he was the 
commander, sprang to the front and inspired his 
men with his own daring. A soldier in Cortes' 
troops suddenly discovered that fire had broken out 
among the reeds on the roof of the temple. The 
building was immediately in flames and Narvaez 
found himself forced to leave. He strove at the head 
of his men to make his way out, but a spear was 
thrust in his eye and he fell. Sandoval seized him, 

[121] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



dragged him down the stairs quickly, bound him, 
and bore him to a place of safety in the rear. The 
victors raised a triumphant shout, and the enemy, 
now without a leader, became so panic-stricken that 
their resistance grew weaker and weaker. A general 
holocaust would have been inevitable had not Cortes 
offered pardon to all who should come out and sur- 
render. Narvaez' men had seen a countless number of 
little flickering lights in the darkness of the night, 
which resembled matches, and which led them to be- 
lieve Cortes had a large force of arquebusiers posted in 
the thickets, for fire-arms at that time were always 
discharged by matches. This fancy — for these lights 
were made by glow-worms — increased the alarm of 
the enemy, and at last no further resistance was 
made. 

The victory was complete. While the air was full 
of the shouts of the victors Cortes seated himself 
and, after throwing a richly embroidered cloak 
about his shoulders, received the congratulations of 
his officers and soldiers. He graciously permitted 
the common soldiers to kiss his hand, paid special 
distinction to the officers, and cordially greeted those 
of the enemy who had once been his friends. Indeed 
he treated them in such a considerate manner that 
those who but a short time since had fought against 
him became his friends. In this way his little 
army was increased by the addition of eight hundred 
fresh and well-armed soldiers, an increase which 
secured for him the most powerful army yet seen 

[122] 



CORTES DEFEATS NARVAEZ 



in that part of the world. As soon as the wounded 
Narvaez came to himself it was with a deadly 
feeling of humiliation that he found himself chained 
hand and foot and in the power of the enemy for 
whom he had had so much contempt. Cortes 
desired to see him without his knowledge so that he 
might not seem to be gloating over his misfortune, 
but as soon as he entered the room the respect 
shown by the soldiers in attendance betrayed his 
presence. The proud Narvaez turned to him and 
said: "Senor Cortes, you have cause to congratu- 
late yourself upon the good luck which has made me 
your prisoner." Such haughtiness seemed to need 
some reproof, so Cortes replied: "All that God does 
is well done; meanwhile, I assure you that I consider 
the victory just won and your capture as among my 
slightest achievements." Cortes kept him bound 
and had him taken to Vera Cruz. 

Hardly had Cortes enjoyed a few hours of rejoicing 
over his quick and glorious victory than his atten- 
tion was directed to fresh dangers which had arisen, 
like a distant storm, in another place. Messengers 
came from Mexico with the unpleasant news that the 
people of the city had risen in revolt and attacked 
the Spaniards left behind, and that Alvarado was 
trying to protect himself against them in his strong- 
hold. Montezuma himself had sent one of his peo- 
ple to implore Cortes to return as quickly as possible 
and put down the uprising. The danger was so great 
and threatening that Cortes lost no time in going 

[123] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



to the rescue of his people. After he had provided 
for the safety of the vessels by manning them with 
his own crews, he placed himself at the head of 
his now formidable army and marched as rapidly 
as possible through Tlaxcala to the capital. The 
faithful Tlaxcalans offered to reinforce him with 
their entire war power, but he contented himself 
by taking only two thousand men and giving them 
hearty thanks for their steadfast loyalty. His 
march was made in a cautious manner but his good 
fortune and the simplicity of the Mexicans made 
caution superfluous. It would have been easy to 
cut off his return to the capital by destroying the 
causeways, but the Mexicans were either too stupid 
or too timorous to do it. Cortes found them just 
as he had left them, and nothing stood in the way of 
his entrance into the city. This occurred June 24, 
1520. 

But how different was the manner of this from 
his first entrance! This time there was no one 
to receive him, no one who looked on in astonish- 
ment, no one who raised a cry of joy. All was 
silent in the deserted streets, and none of Alvarado's 
soldiers was seen until the Spanish quarters were 
reached. Then there were cordial greetings on both 
sides, embraces, and exultant shouts without end. 
Alvarado and his men were delighted at their unex- 
pected deliverance from an appalling danger. Cortes 
and his companions were overjoyed with the double 
pleasure of victory and meeting their companions, 

[124] 



CORTES DEFEATS NARVAEZ 



and Montezuma himself, who had kept his promise 
not to leave the Spanish quarters, appeared to sym- 
pathize with the delight of his oppressors. 

Cortes now learned all that had taken place dur- 
ing his absence. Infuriated by their treatment at 
the hands of the malicious Spaniards, the Mexi- 
cans had rushed to arms. Alvarado gave his con- 
sent for a celebration in honor of Pitzliputzli if 
they would appear at the temple unarmed. As 
the Mexicans, among them several hundred of their 
prominent men, were engaged in the ceremonies 
the Spaniards fell upon them and murdered many. 
The survivors were infuriated. Neither their own 
danger nor that of their imprisoned sovereign de- 
terred them from attacking the Spanish quarters 
with such fierceness that Alvarado and his little 
band had difficulty in protecting themselves. Then 
two vessels were burned, four Spaniards killed, and 
several wounded. The rest expected their destruc- 
tion, but a few days before Cortes' arrival the Mexi- 
cans suddenly ceased hostilities and remained quiet. 
With his extraordinary force, and considering the 
extreme awe with which the Mexicans regarded him, 
it would undoubtedly have been easy for him to 
have put down the uprising at once. But his 
methods of administration were now changed. In- 
toxicated with the astonishing good fortune which 
had accompanied his every move, he regarded each 
new danger with the utmost contempt and did not 
even consider it worth while any longer to conceal 

[•"51 



HERNANDO CORTES 



his intentions. From this time on he utterly disre- 
garded Montezuma and so far abandoned his pre- 
vious prudence as to pay no attention to the just 
indignation of these outraged people. 



[126] 



Chapter XII 



The Mexicans Rise against the Spaniards and Fight with 
Desperate Courage — Montezuma is Killed — Cortes 
Struggles Bravely and is in Danger of his Life 



ORTES flattered himself it would be an easy 



task to hold the mutinous Mexicans in check 



by force. Thinking thus, he sent one of his 
bravest officers, Ordaz by name, with a corps of 
four hundred men, partly Spaniards, partly Tlax- 
calans, to ascertain whether the people had really 
quieted down or were making preparations for new 
attacks. In pursuance of his duty, Ordaz marched 
through the city streets but had not gone far before 
he encountered a body of armed Mexicans. In order 
to intercept some of them he incautiously advanced 
upon them, but they at once retreated. This was 
done, as soon appeared, not from cowardice, but 
because of their orders to draw the Spanish leader 
and his men into a trap. Their plan succeeded. 
Ordaz pursued the fugitives to a quarter of the 
city where he suddenly found himself surrounded 
and attacked by a countless swarm of the enemy. 
Even the flat roofs of the houses were covered with 
men who darkened the air with stones, arrows, and 
other missiles, hurled at the Spaniards from every 




[127] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



direction. Fortunately Ordaz, serious and unex- 
pected as the danger was, lost neither his courage 
nor presence of mind but placed his men in a forma- 
tion best calculated to make the attack. Then he 
charged upon the enemy where they were densest. 
It was not long before the Mexicans began to 
weaken. Ordaz cut his way through them and at 
last, after much bloodshed, succeeded in reaching the 
Spanish quarters. One Spaniard and eight Tlaxca- 
lans were killed, and Ordaz himself and most of his 
people were wounded. 

After this disaster Cortes expected the Mexicans 
would desist from further hostilities, but he was 
mistaken. Hardly had the Spaniards reached their 
quarters before they observed the enemy assembling 
in formidable bodies for a general attack. Cortes 
instantly made the necessary preparations for defence, 
and now began a battle which for courage and obsti- 
nacy has hardly been equalled. The Mexicans 
charged with such a din of drums and horns and such 
fearful battle cries that the roar of the cannon could 
hardly be distinguished. They seemed unanimously 
determined to conquer or die. Some kept up a 
continuous shower of arrows and stones. Others, 
despising death, sought to scale the walls and others 
to get possession of the gates. Some mounted upon 
the shoulders of others to reach the top of the walls, 
and when they were hurled down dead or wounded, 
others would take their places instantly. Such was 
their courage that they trod upon the dead and 

[128] 



MONTEZUMA IS KILLED 



wounded to fill up the breaches, and, terrible as was 
the effect of cannon and musketry among them, 
they still kept up their furious attack until at last, 
after horrible slaughter, superstition forced them to 
end the battle and withdraw, for they never fought 
after sundown, and it was now evening. 

The night that followed was not much quieter, 
for, although the Mexicans did not dare to fight, 
they found ways to set fire to the Spanish buildings 
and it was only by extraordinary exertions that a 
general conflagration was prevented. Although 
exhausted with the struggle and their last night's 
labor in extinguishing fires, the Spaniards at day- 
break again were at their posts to resist another 
attack. One bloody assault followed another. It 
seemed as if the fury of this embittered nation could 
never be extinguished, although each fresh attempt 
to storm the Spanish stronghold failed, and Cortes 
by various methods slaughtered the natives by 
thousands and devastated a part of their city by 
fire. 

Cortes shared the fate of most of his soldiers 
and was wounded. He was struck by an arrow in 
the left hand. Thereupon he withdrew to his 
apartments where undisturbed he might form some 
plan to extricate himself from his dangerous situa- 
tion. He had hardly begun gathering his thoughts 
together when the storm broke out anew at every 
corner of the quarters, for the Mexicans had now 
formed in bands for a general assault. He rushed 

[129] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



back and found that his presence was never more 
necessary, for the enemy now was fighting with even 
greater courage than on the day before, and all his 
alertness and skill were required to make the neces- 
sary defence at every place. 

When the battle was at its height, the unfortunate 
Montezuma decided — some say voluntarily, others 
say at the request of the Spaniards — to make an 
attempt to stop this bloodshed by showing himself 
in person to his raging subjects and reminding them 
of their reverential duty to him. He put on his 
imperial mantle, placed the regent crown on his 
head, and adorned himself with the wealth of jewels 
which he had been accustomed to wear on state 
occasions. Thus arrayed, he went, in company with 
some leading Mexicans, to the Spanish stronghold. 
One of these mounted the wall and announced to the 
furious multitude that their sovereign had arrived 
and that he was ready to listen to their grievances 
and end hostilities with the strangers, his guests. 

At the mention of his name the battle ceased and 
respectful silence followed. Thereupon the unfor- 
tunate monarch himself mounted the wall. All 
bowed in reverence, some fell upon their knees and 
kissed the ground. Glancing over the multitude, 
Montezuma sought out the leaders and, after thank- 
ing them for their expressions of devotion, assured 
them they were wrong in supposing he was a prisoner. 
He had only remained so long among his guests that he 
might acquaint himself with their customs, and show 

[ 130] 



MONTEZUMA IS KILLED 



his respect for the mighty ruler whose representatives 
they were. As he was now about to leave them he 
implored his people to lay down their arms and 
return to their homes. 

When Montezuma had concluded his address, 
there was a general silence for several minutes, but 
gradually a low murmur began and soon grew into 
an uproar of protest. The boldest and most insolent 
of the crowd hurled invectives at their ruler and 
shouted that he was no longer Emperor of Mexico 
but a miscreant, a wretch, and a miserable slave of 
the enemy of their fatherland. Montezuma tried 
to speak and motioned with his hand for silence but 
in vain. There was a great bustle and in an instant 
arrows and stones were hurled at him. The two 
soldiers at his side whom Cortes had sent with him 
tried to cover him with their shields, but it was too 
late. His cup of sorrow was filled. He was pierced 
by many arrows, and a blow upon the head by a 
stone felled him senseless. 

Amazed at this unfortunate event, Cortes had 
the almost lifeless monarch taken to his own house, 
to save him if possible, and then, flaming with anger, 
rushed back to take a bloody revenge, but he was 
too late. Hardly had they seen their Emperor fall 
when the Mexicans scattered, as if expecting fire from 
heaven to descend upon them for this cruel deed. 
In the meantime Montezuma regained conscious- 
ness but his condition was pitiable. The thought 
of his subjects' conduct made him almost insane. 

[131] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



They had to hold his hands to prevent him from 
doing injury to himself. Cortes vainly tried to 
quiet him. He rejected all offers of consolation, 
tore the bandages from his wounds, and tried to 
put an end to his life. These passionate outbreaks 
and his obstinate refusal to take nourishment has- 
tened his death. He died uttering imprecations 
against his subjects and disappointed the anticipa- 
tions of the Spaniards by rejecting with great con- 
tempt at the last moment the proffer of the Christian 
faith. When Father Olmedo, kneeling at his side, 
raised the cross and earnestly entreated him to 
embrace it, he coldy repulsed the priest and said: 
"I have only a few hours to live and I will not be 
untrue to the faith of my fathers." The fate of 
his children, especially of his three daughters, rested 
heavily upon his mind. He called Cortes to his 
bedside and committed these children to his care 
as the most precious jewels he should leave behind 
him. He implored him to see that they were 
not left helpless and that they had their rightful 
share of his inheritance. "Your ruler, the King of 
Spain, should do this," said Montezuma, "were it 
only for the friendly service I have rendered the 
Spaniards, and the affection I have shown them, 
which has brought me to this wretched plight. 
But even that has not turned me against them." 
These, according to Cortes' statement, were the 
last words of the dying Emperor. Not long after 
this, on the thirtieth of June, 1520, he died in the 

[ 132] 



MONTEZUMA IS KILLED 



arms of one of his nobles, who had always been 
faithful to him. As long as Montezuma lay suffering 
from his wounds his subjects remained quiet, but 
hardly had he died when they prepared for the choice 
of a new ruler and the immediate resumption of 
hostilities. Montezuma's successor was his brother, 
Guitlahua, a brave and warlike prince, who died sud- 
denly from small-pox four months after he became 
Emperor. 

The new Emperor commenced hostilities with a 
movement that sorely pressed the Spaniards. He 
had his bravest men occupy the flat roof and tower 
of the principal temple, which stood close to the 
Spanish quarters, from which points they could 
hurl stones and beams into the inner court. 
Cortes, who was seriously contemplating a retreat, 
was thereby prevented from making the necessary 
preparations and found it imperative to drive the 
enemy from this dangerous position. He entrusted 
this duty to Escobar, one of his bravest officers, 
whom he placed at the head of a picked troop. 
Meanwhile he himself planned to drive the enemy 
from the streets with the rest of his force in order 
to keep them/ open for those who were attacking the 
temple. Escobar advanced and met with no resist- 
ance up to the foot of the temple steps, a hundred in 
number. But when they were half way up the 
ascent, a multitude of the enemy appeared at the 
rails and hurled down upon them such a shower of 
arrows, stone, and beams that he and his men 

[133] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



could not resist their force. Three times he sought 
to achieve the impossible and three times he was 
driven back. When Cortes, who in the meantime 
had not been idle, heard of their plight, he sprang 
from his horse, without stopping long to consider, 
bound his shield to his arm as he could not hold it 
with his wounded hand, and rushed with drawn 
sword to the temple steps. He called upon his men 
to follow him and advanced apparently to his certain 
death. He dashed down everything that opposed 
him and at last gained the flat temple roof where 
the flower of the Mexicans had gathered, deter- 
mined to conquer or die. A fierce hand to hand 
struggle ensued with clubs and swords, every one 
resolved to sell his life as dearly as possible. There 
was not one who would not rather have been cut 
to pieces than surrender. Some leaped down from 
the pinnacle of the temple rather than outlive their 
freedom, and all fought with a lion-like courage 
never before exhibited in the New World. 

While Cortes was making this desperate fight, 
his troop in the streets was meeting with little 
success. As soon as the temple was captured, he 
hastened to the assistance of the rest of his men. 
He swung himself upon his horse, hung the bridle 
upon his left arm, and with levelled lance dashed 
into the enemy, hurling every one who opposed him 
to the earth. Unfortunately his zeal carried him so 
far that as he turned his horse he found himself cut 
off from his men by so great a swarm of the enemy 

[134] 



MONTEZUMA IS KILLED 



that it seemed impossible to make his way through 
them. His situation was serious but he quickly 
found a way out of it. He noticed a side street in 
which the enemy was not so densely massed. He 
plunged into this and soon regained his men. As 
he did so he suddenly noticed that his friend, An- 
dreas Duero, had been taken prisoner and was being 
dragged to the temple, by a great crowd, to be offered 
up as a fresh victim to the gods. Cortes lost not 
a minute and, without the least consideration for 
the number of the enemy, dashed into their midst 
to rescue his friend. He scattered those who were 
taking him, and Duero, as soon as he was liberated, 
with his dagger disposed of one who was trying 
to hold him and of another who held his horse, 
mounted the animal unhurt, and the two friends 
safely rejoined their people. Cortes always con- 
sidered this achievement as the happiest in all his 
life. The enemy now gave way on every side. 
Cortes, therefore, to save more bloodshed, and to 
give his exhausted men an opportunity for rest, 
gave the signal for withdrawal. They returned to 
their quarters and cared for their wounds. 



1 135] 



Chapter XIII 



Cortes, About to Retreat, Finds the Causeways Cut — The 
Spaniards Escape with Heavy Loss — The Tlaxcalans 
Remain True — Guatemozin is Elected Emperor of 
Mexico 



ON the next day both sides remained quiet. 
Cortes made preparations for his departure 
and the Mexicans did not appear disposed 
to resume hostilities. But their apparent peaceful- 
ness was far from being genuine. They were more 
determined than ever to extirpate the Spaniards and 
they were engaged upon a well considered change 
of plans to accomplish it. Their design now was to 
prevent his retreat by cutting the causeways and 
leaving them to perish from hunger. But Cortes, 
whose foresight never failed him, built a floating 
bridge with incredible swiftness, which could be 
thrown across the opening. As soon as it was ready, 
he ordered that the retreat should be made in the 
night. He hoped that either the darkness would 
enable him to make his escape or that the well 
known night superstition of the Mexicans would 
prevent them from interfering with him. But in 
this he was mistaken. 

As soon as night came he divided his army into 

[136] 



CORTES ABOUT TO RETREAT 



three columns. Sandoval was appointed leader of 
the advance. He himself led the centre column, and 
Velasquez de Leon, a near relative of the governor 
of Cuba, brought up the rear. The army set out 
in the stillness of midnight. Noise of any kind 
was carefully avoided and the falling rain seemed to 
favor them. For a time not a trace of counter prep- 
aration was discovered and at last they reached 
the causeway leading to Tacuba which had been 
selected for two reasons by Cortes. In the first 
place, it was the shortest, and in the second, he had 
hopes that the Mexicans might have neglected to 
cut it, as it was in an entirely different direction from 
that which the Spaniards had taken when they came. 
But this hope was soon dissipated, for when they 
reached the spot, they found it cut. With the help 
of the floating bridge, they attempted to make the 
crossing, but before it was accomplished the terrible 
battle cry of the enemy was heard, announcing 
death and destruction on every hand. The lake 
was suddenly alive with canoes. The beginning of 
the battle was marked by a terrible storm of arrows 
and stones. The place, the darkness, and the des- 
peration of the assailants made it one of the most 
deadly in history. 

The Spaniards were caught upon a narrow pier 
between the first and second openings. They now 
sought to raise their bridge and take it to the sec- 
ond, but the weight of the heavy guns had forced it 
between the stones so closely that they could not get 

[137] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



it loose. All their exertions were in vain and they 
were now so fiercely attacked in front, in the rear, 
and on both sides that no hope was left, either 
of victory or escape. The Mexicans fought with 
desperation, determined either to die themselves or 
destroy the enemies of their fatherland. The Span- 
iards strove with all their skill and might to clear 
the way, but, as often as they secured a passage 
with the sword, fresh fighters took the place of the 
slain. They rushed upon them in such dense masses 
that they could not use their fire-arms. At last 
their strength was exhausted. They could no longer 
withstand this constantly increasing multitude. 
The advance gave away and there was universal 
confusion. Infantry and cavalry, friends and foes, 
were huddled together so closely that they fought 
blindly and without knowing, in the darkness, 
whether they struck friend or foe. 

In the midst of this dreadful slaughter Cortes 
got together about a hundred men, with whom he 
made an effort to cut his way through, and finally 
succeeded in making his way to the mainland. He 
could not endure the thought of his own rescue, how- 
ever, while the larger part of his army was still in 
danger. Selecting those who had not been wounded, 
he went back to share the fate of his friends. A part 
of them had succeeded in forcing their way through 
tp him, but his joy at seeing them was turned to 
grief when he discovered that the Mexicans were 
carrying ofT their living captives to be sacrificed 

[138] 



CORTES ABOUT TO RETREAT 



to their deities. He tried to save them but was 
unable to do more than protect the little remnant 
which had escaped. All were so exhaused that they 
could not renew the fight. The larger part of his 
army was either slain or met death by drowning. 

The morning light broke and revealed a ghastly 
spectacle. More than half the Spaniards and over 
two thousand Tlaxcalans had perished. Velasquez 
de Leon, besides others of the bravest leaders, were 
missing. The most of the survivors were wounded. 
Artillery, ammunition, baggage, and the treasure 
they had collected were lost. The night of this 
horrible slaughter, which occurred July I, 1520, is 
known to this day in New Spain as the Night of 
Sorrow. The first rendezvous was Tacuba but 
they could not remain there long for the whole 
country was in arms. The only place offering a 
secure shelter was Tlaxcala. To reach the road 
leading there they had to traverse the whole northern 
half of the Mexican lake, upon the west side of 
which they found a marshy region, and for several 
days had to march through an unknown country 
without the sustenance necessary to relieve their 
exhausted condition. But there was no other way 
left open to them. They must either abandon all 
hope of possible rescue or continue their march. 
Five days they traversed this apparently endless 
marsh. Early on the sixth they reached Otumba, 
and, as they ascended the adjacent heights, they ob- 
served the entire great plain covered with countless 

[ 139] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



warriors at sight of whom the stoutest among them, 
except Cortes, abandoned all hope. Nothing could 
daunt his courage. His bearing impressed his sol- 
diers with the certainty that they must either conquer 
or die. With his accustomed composure he rallied his 
men and led them against the enemy. As the heavy 
grass is cut by the scythe of the mower, so the enemy 
was mowed down by the swords of his soldiers. 
Nothing could withstand their onset and blood 
and corpses marked their course. But at last they 
were exhausted. Their arms sank powerless. The 
enemy hurled themselves upon them from all sides, 
and their destruction must have followed had not 
their watchful leader fortunately saved them. He 
noticed from a distance the Mexican chief carrying 
their battle flag. He remembered to have heard that 
Mexicans gave up all for lost if their flag was lost 
and his decision was instantly made. Followed by 
some of his brave officers, who were mounted, he 
dashed into the midst of the troop which guarded 
the banner, and hurled the Mexican leader to the 
earth with a thrust of his lance. One of his attend- 
ants sprang from his horse, killed him, and seized the 
flag. At that same moment all the other flags were 
lowered, a panic seized them, they threw down 
their arms and took to flight. Thus a lucky thought 
saved the Spaniards and gave them a victory which 
was as glorious as it was profitable, for, when the 
booty was collected, its value nearly reimbursed them 
for the treasures they had left behind in Mexico, as 
[140] 



CORTES ABOUT TO RETREAT 



most of the Mexicans, confident of victory, had be- 
decked themselves with their most costly ornaments. 

On the following day they reached the territory 
of the friendly Tlaxcalans. They dreaded lest they 
should find a change in their relations, but their 
fears were groundless. That noble and magnanimous 
people remained as faithful as if the Spanish power 
and fortunes had suffered no calamities. Among 
these people the Spaniards rested, recovering from 
their hardships and caring for their wounds. All 
devoted themselves to recreation save Cortes, not- 
withstanding he had striven and suffered more than 
any of them. He had no time to think of rest. 
He was engaged upon plans for the future and soon 
was delighted to find that good fortune had not yet 
abandoned him. 

Velasquez, the governor of Cuba, had so little 
doubt that Narvaez would succeed with the strong 
force entrusted to him that, without waiting for 
news, he sent him two more vessels loaded with 
supplies and munitions. As they were sailing past 
Vera Cruz the commanding officer there induced 
them to enter the harbor. He easily took possession 
of the vessels and just as easily persuaded the men 
to enter Cortes' service. This was not all that fate 
turned to his advantage. Not long after this, three 
other vessels of unusual size, belonging to a fleet 
which the governor of Jamaica had fitted out for 
discoveries, appeared on the same coast. Their 
commander unfortunately took a course toward the 

[ho 



HERNANDO CORTES 



northern provinces of the Mexican Empire, whose 
people were both poor and warlike. He was very 
inhospitably received and after a long series of mis- 
fortunes at last succeeded in reaching the harbor of 
Vera Cruz. His men were also induced to enter 
Cortes' service. In this way Cortes received such 
accessions of men and material that his past losses 
were nearly made good. He felt strong enough now 
to resume his great plans for the conquest of the 
Mexican Empire. With his faithful allies, the Tlax- 
calans and other Indian tribes which had united 
with him, he was now at the head of an army of 
ten thousand men. 

In the meantime the Emperor Cuitlahua had died 
suddenly of small-pox. After his death the electors 
were summoned to choose his successor. Their 
duty at this critical time was one of the most serious 
responsibility. The chief priests implored the bless- 
ing of their highest deity in the following appeal: 

"O God! Thou knowest that the days of our 
Emperor are ended, for thou hast placed him under 
thy feet. He tarries in the place of rest. He has 
traversed the road we all must go. He has gone to 
the house where we must all follow — the home of 
eternal darkness which no light enters. He tarried 
but a few days in his Empire, for we had enjoyed 
his presence but a few days when thou summoned 
him to follow his predecessor. He is therefore 
grateful to thee for freeing him from such a hard 
burden and sending him peace and rest. Who 

[ 142] 



CORTES ABOUT TO RETREAT 



shall now care for the welfare of thy people and 
the empire? Who shall be appointed the judge to 
administer justice to thy people? Who shall sound 
drum and pipe to call the old warriors and the 
mighty to battle? Our Lord and our Protector, 
willst thou in thy wisdom select one worthy to sit 
upon the imperial throne, to bear the heavy burden 
of sovereignty, to love and console thy poor people, 
as a mother loves and consoles her children? O 
merciful God, shed the light of thy countenance 
upon this, thy kingdom. Ordain that in all and 
through all, the honor shall be thine." 

The choice fell upon Guatemozin. He was a 
nephew of both the late Emperors and when he came 
to the throne was not over twenty-five years of age. 
Young as he was, he had had much military experi- 
ence and had distinguished himself in many bloody 
campaigns. He hated the Spaniards as Hannibal 
hated Rome, and, as soon as he heard of the organi- 
zation of his enemy's army, he assembled an extra- 
ordinary force of fighting men from all the provinces 
at the capital, with whom he determined to fight 
to the last drop of blood. Cortes, who was aware 
of his preparations, realized that he must encounter 
great difficulties and dangers, but he faced them with 
his usual courage. Boldly and enthusiastically he 
began the march upon Mexico at the head of his 
greatly increased army. 



[143] 



Chapter XIV 



Cortes Builds Vessels for a Land and Water Attack — A 
Conspiracy against his Life is Discovered — The Capi- 
tal is Attacked 



S Cortes approached the capital of the Province 



of Tezcuco, messengers met him with sig- 



nals of peace and urgently invited him in the 
name of their cacique to make his night quarters 
in the city where everything possible would be fur- 
nished for the comfort of himself and his men. The 
invitation was accompanied with the request that 
Cortes might be pleased to have his Indian auxiliaries 
camp outside the city. There being some reason 
to doubt the sincerity of the cacique's intentions, he 
decided to avail himself of the invitation at once but 
at the same time to take every possible precaution 
and make his entrance immediately, which was accom- 
plished at noon of December 31, 1520. As soon 
as he had occupied the best and largest area of the 
city he deposed the cacique who had stood by the 
Mexicans and been false to the Spaniards. He put 
in his place the man who was declared by the people 
to be the most worthy. This man, Ixtlilxochitl, was 
young and amiable, and of such a noble and distin- 




[144] 



CAPITAL IS ATTACKED 



guished presence that Cortes could not refrain from 
embracing him and assuring him of his friendship. 
He also decided to make his headquarters in the 
city until all his arrangements for the conquest of 
Mexico were completed. 

The Mexicans at this time were in a very good 
state of defence. At the places where the cause- 
ways had been cut, strong bulwarks and breast- 
works were constructed to prevent the enemy from 
using floating bridges. The new Emperor, Guate- 
mozin, had armed many of his warriors with bows 
and very long spears with which they could de- 
fend themselves at a considerable distance. Besides 
this they had a countless number of canoes, so that 
they could attack from every side. Cortes knew that 
he could not think of capturing this really strong 
city until he had a flotilla of small craft with which 
to dispose of these canoes. But how was he to get 
them ? There were only three or four ship-carpenters 
in his entire army. All the building material would 
have to be procured in the Tlaxcalan forest, and his 
whole Spanish force would not be sufficient to convey 
it from there to Tezcuco. But the greater the diffi- 
culties which confronted this extraordinary man, the 
stronger was his determination to overcome them. 
A large number of Tlaxcalans were assigned to his 
carpenters for manual service. While the necessary 
material was being prepared, Cortes began to make 
himself master of the whole region surrounding 
Mexico in order to cut off the unfortunate capital 

[145] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



from subsistence. He overpowered some of the 
towns by force and induced others by mild means 
to enter into an alliance with him. Guatemozin re- 
garded the defection and loss of his faithful vassals 
with sorrow and indignation and sought — but in 
vain — to prevent it. But his great heart did not 
waver in the manly determination to defend his capi- 
tal to the last drop of blood. 

In the meantime a danger impended over the head 
of Cortes which threatened a tragic end to his under- 
taking and his life. The soldiers of Narvaez had 
willingly joined Cortes, but they did so with the 
expectation that in a short time and without much 
danger they would secure untold treasures. The 
destruction of their hopes and the prospect of all 
the dangers they must encounter in an attack upon 
Mexico created great dissatisfaction with Cortes 
and bitter regret that they had decided to follow 
him. Villafanga, a common soldier, but a smart, 
venturesome fellow, who was still loyal to Velas- 
quez, took advantage of his comrades' discontent to 
hatch a plot which contemplated nothing less than 
the murder of the general and his leading officers, the 
choice of a new leader, and return to Cuba. The 
plan was as follows: While Cortes and his leading 
officers were at table a large packet of letters from 
Vera Cruz should be brought in. The conspirators, 
under pretence of desiring to hear from their country, 
would crowd about the general while he was opening 
the packet, and suddenly slay him as well as all the 

[i 4 6] 



CAPITAL IS ATTACKED 



others who had been selected as victims. All was 
now ready for the accomplishment of their black 
purpose. The following day was selected and the 
conspirators, of whom there were a large number, 
had made their plans so secretly that neither Cortes 
nor his friends had the slightest suspicion of them. 
At the last moment, however, a fellow conspirator, 
who had been one of Cortes' men from the start, was 
suddenly seized with remorse. His conscience stung 
him so fiercely that at last he ran to Cortes' quarters 
and made a clean breast of the whole matter. 

Cortes was astonished but quickly decided what 
to do. In company with some of his officers he 
went at once to Villafanga's quarters. His unex- 
pected appearance at such a time and place so sur- 
prised the would-be assassin that he could neither 
deny his guilt nor think of an defence. He was 
instantly seized. Cortes snatched a paper from him, 
which he was attempting to conceal in his bosom, 
and, concluding that it related to the conspiracy, 
stepped aside a minute to examine it. It contained 
a list of the conspirators, which filled him with sur- 
prise. But he wisely concealed it and appeared as 
if he were not aware that any one else was impli- 
cated. He reserved punishment for the principal 
offender, and as his confession made any further 
investigation unnecessary, he was hanged the same 
night in front of the house where he had been 
arrested. 

On the next morning Cortes summoned his entire 

[147] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



force and informed them of Villafanga's treachery 
and the penalty which had been inflicted, but added 
that, notwithstanding all his efforts, he had not dis- 
covered any of his accomplices, as Villafanga had 
been persistently silent even under torture. He 
assured them that as far as he was concerned he was 
pleased with this secrecy for it would have given 
him great pain to have delivered any more of his 
companions into the hands of justice. He closed 
his address by appealing to them to tell him in what 
way his operations had been a disappointment or 
how he had incurred the indignation of his comrades, 
so that he might correct his mistakes then and there. 
The hearts of the guilty ones were relieved by these 
words. They breathed freely again and in their joy 
at being undiscovered resolved at every opportunity 
to display to their leader still greater and more 
steadfast loyalty. 

Cortes knew, however, that idleness may ruin 
the best of men. He bestirred himself, therefore, | 
to provide new occupation for these turbulent ones 
so that they might have no opportunity for in- 
dulging evil fancies. His good luck attended him 
again. He was informed that the building ma- 
terial for thirteen vessels was ready to be brought 
from the Tlaxcalan forests to Tezcuco. As the 
transporting had to be made by Indian carriers 
and a strong guard was needed to protect them 
from the Mexicans, the repentant conspirators were 
selected and the watchful, brave, and true Sandoval 

[i 4 8] 



CAPITAL IS ATTACKED 



was placed in command of them. The journey was 
one of the most difficult they had ever undertaken. 
Eight thousand tamanes, loaded with beams, planks, 
masts, ropes, sails, and iron-work, went in the mid- 
dle. A force of fifteen thousand Tlaxcalan war- 
riors escorted them in the advance, rear, and on 
both flanks, among whom the Spanish soldiers were 
distributed to keep them in order and accustom 
them to regular marching. The entire line was 
more than a mile long. Sandoval placed himself 
at the head of the force and assigned the command 
of the leading column to Chichimekatl, a young Tlax- 
calan leader, for the proud and fierce Xikotenkatl 
was no more. He could not endure the thought of 
submission to the foreigners and incited a revolt. 
But his purpose failed, his own people arrested him, 
and his own father, a second Brutus, pronounced the 
death penalty and turned him over to the Spanish 
general, that the penalty might be inflicted. But 
Cortes, reluctant to consent to the death of the 
young, fiery patriot, pardoned him, set him at 
liberty, and took him with him on the march to 
Mexico. But even this magnanimous treatment 
did not move his proud heart. He improved every 
opportunity to denounce the plans of the Spaniards 
with republican outspokenness, and to prejudice 
his people against them. His companions informed 
the Tlaxcalan High Council of his conduct, which in 
turn notified Cortes that he was striving to raise 
a revolt in the army and that by the law of their 

[149] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



land he deserved the death penalty. It was now 
incumbent upon Cortes to deal with him severely 
for if he returned to Tlaxcala he would not be merci- 
fully treated. Cortes, however, once more told the 
obstinate young man that if he came to him and 
performed his duties he should suifer no injustice. 
But the Tlaxcalan would not consent, and when 
Cortes sent the guard to bring him by force he 
resisted and defended himself until at last he fell 
dead from many wounds. Such was the tragic 
end of a man who under other circumstances might 
have been, perhaps, a Hannibal or a Caesar. 

The expedition had a march of fifteen miles be- 
fore it, and the way led mostly through a rough and 
mountainous region. Large bands of Mexican sol- 
diers frequently appeared but when they saw that 
the Spaniards were always ready for attack, they 
withdrew. At last Sandoval, after a march of 
extreme difficulty, had the good fortune to arrive 
safely at Tezcuco, where he was received with open 
arms by Cortes. While they were engaged in con- 
structing the vessels, another fortunate event oc- 
curred. Some time previously Cortes had sent some 
of his officers to Hispaniola to bring him reinforce- 
ments if possible. He had long been anxious for 
their return, and had long been disappointed, but 
at last the glad news came that four vessels with 
large reinforcements had arrived at Vera Cruz from 
Hispaniola. They brought two hundred soldiers, 
eighty horses, two cannon, and a great quantity 

[ISO] 



CAPITAL IS ATTACKED 



of powder and ammunition. The building of the 
vessels was now pushed forward with the utmost 
zeal. Although the Mexicans from time to time 
attempted to hinder the work and to burn them on 
the stocks, their efforts were frustrated by Cortes' 
watchfulness and the bravery of his soldiers. At 
last the vessels were finished and launched and as 
the wind filled their sails a joyous shout was raised, 
announcing the important event to the whole sur- 
rounding region. 

Cortes now decided to attack the city from three 
sides and divided his army into as many columns. 
Sandoval was given command of the first, Alvarado 
of the second, and Olid of the third. The first was 
to advance from Tezcuco, the second from Tacuba, 
and the third from Kajahuakan, while Cortes him- 
self, commanding the vessels, was to support them. 
The three took the positions assigned them and began 
the advance. Alvarado and Olid on their march 
destroyed the fine aqueducts which brought the 
sweet mountain water from many miles away into 
the island city. The water famine which followed 
was only the beginning of the many hardships with 
which the unfortunate people had to contend. From 
this time on, not a day passed without some fierce 
encounter. The vessels had to attack a vast swarm 
of small canoes and the land troops an equally 
vast swarm of the enemy at the causeways. The 
frail canoes were soon destroyed or driven ashore, 
however, but in the encounters at the causewavs 

[151] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



little was achieved. The Spaniards attacked with 
the utmost vigor the bulwarks erected to protect 
the openings, but every night they were forced to 
retire to the mainland, while the besieged every 
night restored what they had lost during the day. 
Notwithstanding all this bloodshed, they made no 
progress from day to day, and the fatigue of the 
Spaniards and their allies each day was so great 
that they began to fear they would gradually suc- 
cumb. 



[152] 



Chapter XV 



The Spaniards Lose Heavily in Battle — The Prisoners are 
Sacrificed — Some of Cortes' Allies Desert but Soon 
Return — The City of Mexico Captured — Guatemozin 
Attempts Flight but is Taken 



ORTES, realizing that the battle could not 



be continued in this wise, decided to end the 



long and wearisome struggle with one bold 
venture. He arranged for a general attack at a 
designated time (this was about the end of May, 
1 521) and ordered each of his commanders to advance 
into the city with his division, in spite of all obstacles, 
and post himself there. He himself took command 
of the force which was to attack the causeway of 
Cojohuacan, determined to let nothing stop him from 
reaching the city. The eventful day came. The 
leaders placed themselves at the head of their troops 
and the tragedy began. It was a thrilling specta- 
cle, the irresistible advance of the Spaniards and 
the stubborn resistance of the Mexicans. Nothing 
could withstand the onset of Cortes. He carried 
one defence after the other in desperate charges, 
cut down or shot down everything before him, and 
pursued the flying enemy into the city. 

Guatemozin, who had been informed of all that 




[153] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



was transpiring, rejoiced at the imprudence of the 
enemy as he realized the advantage it placed in his 
hands. He immediately ordered several strong de- 
tachments to march by different roundabout ways 
to the abandoned causeways, enlarge the openings 
as much as possible, and hold their positions there. 
The rest of his warriors, who were engaged in a hand 
to hand struggle with the enemy, gradually fell 
back in order to lure the excited Spaniards farther 
into the city. His cunning scheme was successful. 
Assuming that his orders had been executed, Cortes 
without hesitation drove the enemy from one street 
to another and at last reached the very place where 
Guatemozin was awaiting him with the flower of 
his warriors. 

Suddenly, at a signal from the Emperor, the 
hollow boom of the war god's sacred drum was 
heard from the adjacent temple — a sound which 
always filled the Mexican with indescribable rage 
and utter contempt of death. In an instant the 
Spaniards, to their astonishment, found themselves 
attacked on all sides so furiously that with all their 
courage and skill they were unable to withstand it. 
They began falling back slowly in close ranks and 
maintaining the defensive, but as the numbers of 
the enemy increased every moment and their attack 
grew more furious, they gradually began to seek 
safety in flight. At last their ranks broke. All, 
Spaniards and Tlaxcalans, foot-soldiers and horse- 
men, fled in disorder to the nearest causeway where 

[154] 



SPANIARDS LOSE HEAVILY 



their terror was still further increased by finding 
the enemy in possession. 

Cortes vainly sought by commands and entreaties 
to check the disorderly flight and restore order. 
They neither saw nor heard anything. Their 
only impulse was to save themselves in any way 
they could. They jumped into the openings in 
squads. Many of them were drowned and others 
were captured or killed by the enemy in their canoes, 
• for unfortunately this part of the lake was too shal- 
low to allow the Spanish vessels to come to their 
assistance. Cortes was greatly alarmed at the dan- 
ger of his troops but gave not a thought to his 
own. While striving to rescue some from the water 
and others from the hands of the enemy, he was 
suddenly seized by six stout Mexican chiefs and 
dragged away in triumph. Two of his officers, see- 
ing what had happened, determined to save their 
commander by sacrificing themselves. They dashed 
into the midst of the enemy, struggled and fell, but 
not until they had killed those who were holding 
Cortes. He was freed and made his escape, 
although pitifully disfigured and at the cost of his 
officers' lives, which pained him more than his 
wounds. A thousand Tlaxcalans and over sixty 
Spaniards were lost, many were captured, while 
among those who escaped there was hardly one who 
was not injured in some way. 

Cortes' position was now most critical. His 
people were completely discouraged and the enemy 

[i5S] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



was correspondingly encouraged. They grew so bold 
indeed that on the next morning they ventured an 
attack upon the headquarters, which the Spaniards 
and their allies had great difficulty in resisting. 
Guatemozin at this junction conceived of another 
cunning project for the discomfiture of his enemy. 
He sent the heads of the slaughtered Spaniards 
through the provinces and everywhere proclaimed 
that the blood of these enemies had appeased the 
wrath of the war god and that he had declared that 
in eight days all the hated foreigners would be 
destroyed. The news created general consternation 
among Cortes' Indian allies. Their superstition was 
so great that they did not doubt for an instant the 
threat of their war god would be executed. They 
determined to abandon all association with people 
whom the Heavens had doomed to destruction. Some 
of the Tlaxcalans themselves were recreant and 
began to desert. But Cortes discovered a plan for 
preventing this withdrawal, which met with suc- 
cess. He suspended hostilities for eight days, mean- 
while covering his well intrenched army with his 
vessels, and quietly awaited the expiration of the 
time set for his destruction. When it passed and 
the Spaniards had not suffered the least injury, the 
allies began to open their eyes. They realized 
they had been deceived, grew ashamed of their 
credulity, and came back more determined than ever 
to assist the Spaniards in the complete overthrow 
of the hated Mexican Empire. Others, who had not 

[iS6] 



SPANIARDS LOSE HEAVILY 



really believed the deceitful announcement came 
from their war god, were all the more grateful that 
the deception now made the downfall of the Mexicans 
inevitable. The accessions of old and new allies 
were so great that in a few days Cortes had an army 
of one hundred and fifty thousand natives. Instead, 
however, of being misled by this astonishing increase 
of his strength, he proceeded more cautiously than 
ever. He made several tenders of peace to the 
Mexicans, but Guatemozin, who was thoroughly con- 
vinced that any alliance with the Spaniards would 
result in the servitude of himself and his people, 
rejected the offers with scorn, being still determined 
either to rescue the fatherland or die in the attempt. 

Hostilities were resumed. The city was now so 
closely shut in that supplies were entirely cut off. 
This produced a dire famine, followed as usual by 
a pestilence, which swept away the poor natives 
in great numbers. Meanwhile the Spaniards daily 
approached nearer the city by the three causeways. 
In pursuance of Cortes' new plans every advance 
was accompanied by preparations for a safe retreat 
to the mainland in case of necessity. By continuing 
this policy the city was reached on all three sides 
and the noble, brave Guatemozin at last fought the 
Spaniards upon a hand-breadth of land. The latter 
continued advancing, setting on fire the section of 
the city already captured, and maintaining their 
strongly intrenched position. The great market- 
place was the objective point for all three divisions. 

[157] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



Alvarado was the first to reach it. Cortes quickly 
followed at the head of the division led by Olid, 
driving the Mexicans before him at the point of the 
sword. Sandoval also joined them and the slaughter 
was terrible. Three-fourths of the city was now 
captured and almost reduced to ashes. Guatemozin 
had intrenched himself in the remaining part with 
the flower of his soldiers. The Spaniards were 
about to attack him, but Cortes, who was anxious 
to save further bloodshed, and flattered himself 
that Guatemozin could hold out no longer, stayed 
further hostilities and again made offers of peace. 
Seemingly the Emperor was ready to accept them 
and a short cessation of fighting followed without any 
expressed agreement. Meanwhile the two parties 
confronted each other, separated only by a trench. 
Absolute quiet prevailed on both sides. Guate- 
mozin meanwhile put off the Spaniards from day 
to day with the assurance that he would personally 
appear and conduct negotiations. This was only a 
pretext to lull the Spaniards into security, and con- 
ceal his own purpose. Acting upon the entreaties 
of his nobles, he had decided to save himself from 
death or capture by flight to distant provinces of 
his Empire, there to raise a new army and make 
head against his enemies. The necessary prepara- 
tions were all made. The Mexican nobles were 
ready to give up their lives for their loved Emperor. 
They had a great number of canoes in readiness 
and a bold attack was made upon the vessels while 

[158] 



SPANIARDS LOSE HEAVILY 



Guatemozin, the object of their tender solicitude, 
was being conveyed across the lake. Sandoval, 
who was in command of the vessels, vainly attempted 
to drive them back by firing his heavy cannon. 
They despised death and wounds and rowed about 
unterrified, seeking to come to a hand to hand 
struggle. 

Suddenly Sandoval observed a strongly manned 
canoe being rowed with great speed directly across 
the lake. He also observed what the canoe contained 
and at once gave chase. Holquin, whose vessel 
was the fastest, reached it first, but as soon as the 
rowers found that he was about to open fire, they 
dropped their oars and begged him to spare the life 
of the Emperor. Overjoyed at the honor his good 
fortune had brought him, Holquin sprang with drawn 
sword into the canoe. Guatemozin met him nobly 
and fearlessly, and said he was his prisoner and 
ready to follow him, praying only that his wife and 
her attendant should meet with honorable treat- 
ment. He turned to the latter, spoke a few words 
of encouragement, and then extended his hand to 
conduct them to the vessel. That moment — it was 
the thirteenth of August, 1521 — decided the fate of 
the whole Mexican Empire which in the person of 
its Emperor was delivered into the hands of the 
Spaniards. 

Holquin hastened to conduct his prisoner to 
Cortes who received him upon the shore of the lake 
with the respect due to his position and his virtues. 

[159] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



The unfortunate Guatemozin seemed to accept the 
courtesy of his conqueror with a certain pleasure 
and accompanied him with great self-command to 
his quarters. He seated himself for a moment, then 
rose and said to Cortes, with the interpreter's help: 
"I have done what my duty demanded. I am 
of no more importance, and a prisoner like me must 
be a burden to his captor. Rise! take this dagger 
(placing it in Cortes' hand) and plunge it into my 
heart and put an end to my useless life." His wife 
wept aloud at these words and Cortes was much 
agitated. He besought the unfortunate man to 
calm himself and thereupon left him so as not to 
increase their trouble by his presence. 

As soon as it was known that Guatemozin had 
been captured, the Mexicans laid down their arms 
and the Spaniards were masters of the city. The 
first few days were spent in rejoicing over the for- 
tunate outcome of their undertaking, but before 
long rejoicing changed to discontent at the sight of 
the small compensation they were likely to receive 
after so many dangers and hardships. The larger 
part of the houses were consumed with all their treas- 
ures, and when Guatemozin had found that the safety 
of his capital was doubtful, everything of value in 
the royal treasury had been thrown into the lake. 
The booty which was collected was so inconsiderable 
that many of the Spaniards threw away with con- 
tempt the portion assigned to them. They soon 
began loudly to denounce Guatemozin and next their 

[160] 



SPANIARDS LOSE HEAVILY 



general, whom they were bold enough to declare had 
taken the largest part of the treasures. 

Cortes vainly tried to quiet them. Aldereto, 
who had been appointed royal treasurer, espoused 
the cause of the malcontents and demanded by vir- 
tue of his office that the Emperor and his premier 
should be delivered over to him to reveal in what 
part of the lake the treasures were sunk. Cortes, 
who had faced so many storms, was this time weak 
and inhuman enough to yield to this monster. 
Guatemozin and his loyal premier were stretched 
upon the rack. The Emperor bore all the torments 
which the brute could devise with wonderful firm- 
ness. His premier imitated his example, but when 
they proceeded to put him to still more inhuman 
torture, he uttered a loud cry and turned his eyes 
to his master as if asking permission to confess 
what he knew. Guatemozin understood the look 
and said with the utmost composure, "Am I lying 
upon a bed of roses?" His words went to the heart 
of his faithful servant. Not a loud sound escaped 
his lips again as he expired before the eyes of his 
tortured master with the sublime steadfastness of 
a hero and the tranquillity of a saint. 

Cortes, who had heard from a distance the outcry 
of the poor man, overcome by remorse and shame, 
rushed to the apartment and saved the life of the 
tortured Emperor. 



[161] 



Chapter XVI 



Tafia, Commissioned to Depose Cortes, is Induced to 
Return to Cuba — Cortes is Confirmed as Governor of 
New Spain — He Goes to Spain and is Ennobled — A 
Second Visit to Spain Discloses the Fickleness of the 
Court — He Vainly Begs the Emperor's Favor — His 
Death 



THE conquest of imperial provinces shortly 
followed the capture of the city. One after 
another surrended and their people suffered 
the same hard fate which the American islanders 
had endured for twenty years. They were enslaved 
and cruelly treated. Cortes in the meantime re- 
ceived no reply from Spain and was uncertain how 
his operations were regarded there. At last a ves- 
sel arrived at Vera Cruz, having on board a certain 
Tapia, who had been sent to depose Cortes, bring 
him to trial, and fill his position. Fortunately for 
Cortes, this man was both weak and cowardly. He 
cunningly interposed so many obstacles and intimi- 
dated him in so many ways that Tapia thought the 
safest course for him was to return home without 
making any attempt to carry out the object of his 
mission. Cortes also knew that he was a very 

[162] 



GOVERNOR OF NEW SPAIN 



covetous man and offered to purchase his horses, 
slaves, and entire outfit indeed, at a handsome price. 
Tapia was willing to sell and returned to Cuba with 
a goodly amount of gold. 

The storm impending over Cortes' head, however, 
soon began to gather again. In hopes of escaping 
it, he sent other messengers to Spain to lay before 
the Emperor, Charles the Fifth, a complete report 
of his operations and present him with his share 
of the booty. The brilliancy of his deeds and the 
greatness and importance of his conquest both re- 
joiced and amazed the young monarch. He not 
only approved of all that Cortes had done but 
invested him with the dignity of Governor of New 
Spain, and appointed a commission to investigate 
the pretensions of Velasquez. As might have been 
expected, this commission made a report in ac- 
cordance with their master's wishes. Velasquez' 
complaint of Cortes' disloyalty and his claims of 
governorship over the newly conquered territory 
were pronounced null and void, and he was de- 
clared entitled to no further compensation than the 
legitimate cost of the expedition. This twofold dis- 
grace was more than the proud and passionate Ve- 
lasquez could endure. It cost him his life and Cortes 
now found himself at the very summit of fortune's 
pinnacle. 

He began to raise Mexico from its ruins and to 
consolidate the Spanish power in the Empire. In 
carrying out his plans he resorted to the most 

[163] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



cruel and arbitrary measures, which invited the 
Mexicans to revolt again. This revolt was speedily 
crushed, however, and inhuman penalties were in- 
flicted upon caciques and nobles. Upon the mere 
rumor that Guatemozin had encouraged the Mexi- 
cans, that brave, magnanimous prince and also 
the caciques of Tezcuco and Tacuba were hanged. 
Some Spanish officials who had been sent to Mexico 
to administer the royal revenues attempted to 
exercise authority without recognizing Cortes. But 
Cortes was not in the habit of allowing his inferiors 
to treat him contemptuously. He laughed at their 
efforts to weaken his authority. The officials, how- 
ever, sent to the Spanish Court a description of 
Cortes' character and his administration. Their 
statements made such an impression that it was 
decided to send a commissioner to Mexico to in- 
vestigate Cortes' transactions, and if his findings 
warranted it, to send him to Spain. When the 
commissioner arrived, however, he was taken ill 
and died. 

Cortes' danger was not yet over. The officials 
continued sending unfavorable reports to Spain 
and a new commission was appointed with absolute 
power to investigate and punish him. Cortes was 
informed of its purposes. He was furiously indig- 
nant to find the arduous and important service he 
had rendered the fatherland thus requited, and his 
friends counselled him, in view of such shameful 
treatment, to meet force with force. He hesitated, 

[i6 4 ] 



GOVERNOR OF NEW SPAIN 



however, to take a step which would conflict with 
the loyalty and obedience he owed his sovereign, 
and at last decided to suffer ungrateful and shame- 
ful treatment rather than resist the legal authority 
of his country. He resolved to go to Spain and 
entrust his fate to the mercy and justice of the 
King. 

As he appeared before his sovereign, all eyes were 
turned with admiration and respect upon the man 
whose achievements seemed to eclipse those of the 
great heroes. The modesty with which he plead 
his cause before the high judges removed the sus- 
picions they had entertained. The King received 
him with expressions of the highest respect and 
gratitude and showered favors upon him. He 
decorated him with the order of St. Iago, elevated 
him to the rank of count, and conferred upon him 
a broad stretch of territory in Mexico which would 
yield him a large revenue. But when they came 
to the confirmation of his governorship, it was 
clearly apparent they considered it dangerous to 
invest him anew with the power he might misuse. 
All that he received was his recognition as general 
and permission to make new discoveries. The 
entire administration of civil affairs was entrusted 
to a viceroy. 

Cortes went back to Mexico, but from that time 
forward his career was marked by an unbroken 
series of troubles. He was so hampered by the vice- 
roy's strictness and so humiliated by his loss of 

[165] 



HERNANDO CORTES 



authority that his only relief was found in the 
discovery and conquest of new regions. He fitted 
out an expedition on the west coast of Mexico for 
making discoveries in the great South Sea and suc- 
ceeded in finding the peninsula of Lower California. 
Upon his return his life became so embittered that 
he decided to go to Spain again, appeal to the 
justice and former favor of the King, and lay his 
grievances before him in person. He little antici- 
pated the still greater troubles he must endure. 
During his restless and martial life he had. had little 
chance to know the fickleness of a court and the 
unreliability of the favor of the great. He was now 
to discover it. 

He was coldly received, indifferently listened to, 
and his complaints and appeals dismissed as of no 
consequence. He had grown old. What further 
important service could he promise? What he had 
accomplished for his King and country was forgot- 
ten or it was considered as already fully recompensed. 
He found himself at the close of his career, like 
Columbus, ignominiously treated by a thankless 
King and his malicious ministers, and obliged to 
beg for justice. Six long wretched years passed in 
solitude and neglect but at last grief and indignation 
at such treatment brought his life to an end. He 
died October II, 1547, 1 in the sixty-third year of 
his age. His body at his express desire was taken 



Other authorities assign December 2, 1554, as the date of his death. 

[166] 



GOVERNOR OF NEW SPAIN 



to New Spain, perhaps because he considered his 
ungrateful fatherland unworthy to be its burial- 
place. 1 

1 Soon afterward he fell into neglect and could scarcely obtain 
an audience. One day, however, having forced his way through the 
crowd which surrounded the Emperor's carriage and mounted on the 
doorstep, Charles, astonished at an act of such audacity, demanded 
to know who he was. "I am a man," replied the conqueror of Mexico 
proudly, "who has given you more provinces than your ancestors 
left you cities." 




3lppentit* 



The following is a chronological statement of 
important events in Cortes' career: 

1485 Birth of Cortes. 

1504 Voyage to San Domingo. 

151 1 Accompanies Velasquez to Cuba. 

15 18 Expedition to Mexico. 

15 19 Founding of Vera Cruz. 

1 5 19 Defeat of the Tlaxcalans. 

15 19 Cholulan massacre. 

1 5 19 Interview with Montezuma. 

1520 Montezuma made prisoner. 

1520 Mexican revolt and Montezuma's death. 

1520 Battle of Otumba. 

1520 Retreat from City of Mexico. 

1521 City of Mexico retaken. 

1521 Emperor Guatemozin hanged. 

1522 Cortes confirmed as Governor of New Spain. 

1523 Confirmation revoked and viceroy appointed. 
1536 Cortes discovers peninsula of Lower California. 
1547 Death of Cortes. 



[168] 



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